Stress and Jaw Pain

When people are under increased stress, they are at greater risk of developing health conditions. That’s no less true for oral health, or for children and teenagers. People dealing with stress may grind their teeth in the night, putting themselves at risk for tooth aches and breaks. At Kidz Connextion in Phoenix, we want our patients to be able to avoid this, which is why we’re discussing TMJ and night guards.

 

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the two joints that link our lower jaw to our skulls. They are powerful and able to move in every direction, making them among the most complex joints in the body. Sometimes, the joints become swollen, such as when a child suffers from a rheumatic condition, and sometimes people grind their teeth in the night because they suffer from sleep apnea and are unconsciously trying to clear their airways. But usually when children and teenagers have swollen temporomandibular joints, it is because they are clenching their teeth at night or grinding them, which is a habit called bruxism. The grinding may crack their enamel or damage their orthodontics, and the swollen joints may spread pain down their necks or to their heads.

 

Although psychological counseling may be necessary to relieve stress, we can assist with protecting a teenager’s teeth. A night guard is a customized oral appliance that is worn at night and shields the teeth from pressing into each other. It also repositions the jaw to allow a person to rest more comfortably. Dentists can also teach stretching exercises that will loosen the jaw muscles, putting less pressure on the temporomandibular joints and helping patients to remember to avoid clenching their teeth in the day.

 

Kidz Connextion has three convenient locations in Phoenix, Arizona. To schedule an appointment at 2533 N 75th St, text 623-232-0749. For our office at 2046 N 24th St, text 480-666-5984. For our office at 524 E Baseline Rd, text 480-405-4714. Or, visit Kidz Connextion on our website.