Orthodontists do a lot more than braces. At the offices of Dr. Gregory Ross, we provide treatments for people who are suffering from nighttime teeth grinding as a result of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD or TMJD). This behavior is done in response to pain in the joint which connects the jaw to the rest of the head, but it can worsen pain in the head, neck, and shoulder. TMD is also commonly associated with fibromyalgia, which makes it important for fibromyalgia patients to get assessed for TMD.
Fibromyalgia is a disease which causes pain throughout the body and problems with cognition and memory. It is poorly understood but believed to be neurological in nature. Besides TMD headaches, fibromyalgia also contributes to migraines. It is most often seen in women, although usually in ones who are older than those who have TMD alone. There are a number of pain-management therapies available for fibromyalgia patients, but it’s important to ensure that their bite alignment isn’t compromised by night time teeth grinding without worsening their discomfort. Night guards are a useful first step toward preventing teeth grinding, and if the teeth do need realignment, Invisalign can shift them with less pressure than traditional braces.
To learn more about Ross Orthodontics, visit Smiles by Ross. Offices are located in Forest Lake, Minnesota and Hudson, Wisconsin.
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