Clenching And Grinding Is A Cause Of TMD Not A Symptom!

  • Clenching And Grinding Is A Cause Of TMD Not A Symptom! | | TMJ, Tongue Tie & Sleep Institute – Tongue Tie Treatment in Mumbai, India | TMJ | verified expert in tMJ
Clenching And Grinding Is A Cause Of TMD Not A Symptom! | | TMJ, Tongue Tie & Sleep Institute – Tongue Tie Treatment in Mumbai, India | TMJ |
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Bruxism or clenching of teeth, also known as chronic teeth grinding, affects millions of people. We are so used to hearing that clenching and grinding are common symptoms of TMD. However, they are not symptoms of TMD but can cause TMJ Disorder. To know more, you can read about How bruxism can cause TMJ Disorder?
Bruxing in people of all ages can be linked to airway disturbances during sleep. The airway can become too narrow or blocked by mucus from allergies or by interference from the nose, jaw or tongue. Recent studies have proven that the reason for teeth grinding and clenching is the body’s response to open up the airway as we transition from deep stages of sleep. It can also arise from injury to the joints, jaw or dysfunction of the orofacial muscles, head and neck muscles and hip alignments
Take back control of your life by understanding the root cause of TMD linked with clenching and grinding. Find expert solutions that can provide relief and experience the comfort and relief you deserve. Don’t wait any longer, take action now!
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What Is Bruxism?

It is derived from the Greek word brychein. Bruxism means tooth grinding. The term was introduced to describe involuntary, excessive grinding, clenching or rubbing of the teeth during nonfunctional movements of the masticatory system. It refers to movements of the jaw that are beyond the normal functional activity of the teeth and jaws (e.g., speaking, chewing or swallowing)

Signs and Symptoms

Some people experience no symptoms whatsoever. Some common Bruxism symptoms people experience are:
  • Sore jaw muscles
  • Slow eating
  • Tension headaches
  • Migraines
  • Stiff neck
  • Tooth sensitivity
  • Chipped teeth
  • Dull ache starting at the temples
  • Sounds loud enough to wake your partner at night
  • Irregular, interrupted disturbed sleep patterns
Take A Step Back
Now think, have you ever complained of the above mentioned signs or have you noticed these signs?

What Is Causing You To Clench Your Teeth?

There could be multiple factors affecting you. We need to rule out which one?
  • Local factors: occlusal interferences, high filling restorations or poor restorations, crowding of teeth, incorrect contact between upper and lower teeth. Other local factors that can cause you to clench your teeth are
  • a) Incorrect teeth alignment: Misaligned teeth can cause the jaw to shift and move in unnatural ways, leading to bruxism. When teeth are not aligned properly, the bite can become imbalanced, causing the muscles in the jaw to work harder to compensate for the misalignment. This extra muscle activity can lead to teeth clenching and grinding.
  • b)Neck alignment: Poor neck alignment can cause tension in the muscles of the neck and jaw, leading to teeth clenching or grinding. When the neck is misaligned, it can cause the muscles in the jaw to work harder to maintain balance and support the head, leading to bruxism.
  • c) Hip alignment: The alignment of the hips can also affect the muscles of the jaw and contribute to teeth clenching or grinding. When the hips are not aligned properly, it can cause the muscles in the jaw to work harder to maintain balance and stability, leading to bruxism.
  • Systemic factors: parasitic and digestive diseases like worms, malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies like magnesium, allergies, endocrine disorders, mental retardation, cerebral palsy.
  • Psychological factors: Personality disorders like hyperactivity and increased stress and anxiety, argument or fighting(altercations) or problems at work or home
  • Habits such as fidgeting due to a high sympathetic drive
  • Tongue Tie
  • Mouth breathing, noisy breathing, snoring, sleep apnea, sleep disordered breathing
  • Deviated septum or nasal obstructions

Types of bruxism

  • Awake bruxism: Jaw clenching and teeth grinding during the day is commonly associated with emotional issues. Awake bruxism does not require treatment, especially if you can detect and stop it. Managing stress and developing techniques to become more aware of your behaviour can help reduce the frequency of teeth grinding.
  • Sleep bruxism: If a person grinds their teeth while sleeping, it can cause more harm. Unfortunately, because individuals are typically unaware that it is happening, they may not seek the help they need. One challenge with sleep bruxism is that people are often unaware of the intensity of their jaw clenching and teeth grinding, which can cause jaw pain and dental issues.
Did you know sleep bruxism or teeth grinding during sleep can be a Red Flag for sleep, breathing and TMJ disturbances?
Believe it or not, bruxism can point us in the direction of diagnosing a rather serious disorder known as Tongue ties, TMD or Obstructive sleep apnea/ sleep disordered breathing which is highly prevalent in our population.

What Is The Link Between Clenching, Sleep Disordered Breathing and TMD?

Clenching And Grinding Is A Cause Of TMD Not A Symptom! | | TMJ, Tongue Tie & Sleep Institute – Tongue Tie Treatment in Mumbai, India | TMJ |
Episodes of teeth grinding generally occur when you transition from a non-REM deep sleep stage to REM sleep stage. It is not a continuous activity but a periodic one that occurs for a few minutes when there is transition in the sleep stages.
Our airway should be nice and wide open while awake or sleeping. As we transition in the deep stages of sleep all muscles of the body relax and the tongue is also one of those muscles. When the tongue musculature relaxes, it positions low and the back of the tongue falls back into the airway . Our body is beautifully made and hence we start compensating. The fight and flight response is triggered as a protective mechanism in order to open up the airway. This results in an involuntary forward movement of the lower jaw to open the airway. This unstable bite increases muscle activity and leads to grinding of the teeth at night. Teeth grinding causes muscle dysfunction which in turn causes TMJ disorders.
Neck and hip alignment also have an impact on the overall posture. The poor alignment of the neck or hips can cause muscle tension in other parts of the body including the jaw, leading to TMJ.
Take back control of your life by understanding the root cause of TMD linked with clenching and grinding. Find expert solutions that can provide relief and experience the comfort and relief you deserve. Don’t wait any longer, take action now!
Make An Appointment

How Can We Help?

Now that you have understood the link your obvious question is – What can be done? We need to assess all the factors that can lead to grinding teeth & jaw pain and treat accordingly. If there are any underlying sleep disordered breathing disturbances , tongue ties or jaw disturbances these need to be addressed.
Once the airway focused TMJ doctor assesses he/she will take a holistic approach to treat the problem and help you establish a proper oral rest posture, correct muscle dysfunction of the tongue and face, restore nasal breathing and a good sleep with the help of Airway Orthodontics, GNM Orthotics, Oral Myofunctional Therapy and Breath Retraining. So contact a tongue tie specialist in India today if you have any questions or to schedule a consultation.
Happy Breathing!
#airwaymatters
Please feel free to ask us any questions. You can always contact us for questions or to schedule a consultation.
Keywords : teeth grinding, bruxism, clenching teeth, grinding teeth at night, sleep disorder, mouth breathing, Oral myofunctional Therapy, sleep dentistry, tongue ties, breath retraining, airway orthodontics, TMJ and grinding, TMJ and clenching, TMJ and sleep apnea

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Comprehensive Care for Tongue Tie and TMJ Disorders

At our institute, we take pride in providing complete care for issues related to tongue tie and TMJ. To enhance your quality of life, we treat a range of ailments with state-of-the-art technology and expert care. If you’re searching for an effective tongue-tie operation option or a TMJ specialist in India, you have arrived at the right place.

Why Choose a Tongue Tie Operation?

A tongue tie operation or tongue tie surgery is a life-changing procedure that not only restores tongue mobility but also has a full body effect. While most people associate tongue tie with breastfeeding difficulties in infants, it can also affect speech, breathing, posture, dental health, and sleep patterns in older children and adults. By undergoing this minimally invasive fascia release procedure, patients often experience immediate improvements in functionality and overall well-being.

Benefits of a Tongue Tie Surgery

For individuals considering tongue tie surgery, the benefits are far-reaching:

  • Improved Speech Clarity : Eliminating the restriction improves the tongue's range of motion, which improves the articulation of words and sounds.
  • Better Oral Hygiene : Increased tongue movement makes it easier to maintain good oral hygiene, which lowers the chance of dental issues.
  • Enhanced Eating and Swallowing : Adults and children with eating difficulties often find relief post-surgery.
  • Improved Sleep : In some cases, releasing a tongue tie can alleviate sleep apnea or other breathing-related issues.
  • Improvement in Breathing efficiency : Surgery can improve nasal breathing efficiency, helping individuals transition away from compensatory mouth breathing that often leads to health concerns like dry mouth or increased susceptibility to infections.
  • Better Posture : The tongue plays a role in stabilizing the head and neck. Releasing a tongue tie can alleviate strain on these areas, promoting better posture and reducing tension in the shoulders, neck, and jaw.

TMJ Specialist Mumbai: Advanced Care Tailored to Your Needs

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) that is your Jaw Joint has a significant impact on one’s quality of life, as they leave the person feeling exhausted and irritable. It not only affects essential functions like chewing, speaking, yawning but also affects one’s posture, breathing and sleep. As a leading TMJ specialist in Mumbai, we offer comprehensive diagnostics and personalized treatment plans to address your unique needs.

Innovative Treatments by TMJ Specialists in India

Our approach to TMJ disorders combines state-of-the-art technology with evidence-based practices. We specialize in:
  • GNeuromuscular (GNM) Orthotic Therapy: Using advanced techniques like TENS & Jaw Tracking machines to achieve a balanced jaw and body alignment.
  • Non-Invasive Pain Management: Treatments such as laser therapy, myofunctional therapy, and physiotherapy.
  • Holistic Interventions: Integrating multidisciplinary care related to diet and mental health to treat the root cause of TMJ pain.

The Role of Tongue Tie in TMJ Disorders

Many patients are unaware that tongue tie and TMJ disorders can also be interconnected. A restricted tongue can lead to compensatory behaviors that strain the jaw, progressing towards TMJ issues.

Personalized Treatment for All Ages

Infants

For newborns, a tongue tie operation is critical in supporting breastfeeding. Infants struggling to latch or feed effectively benefit greatly from a quick and safe procedure.

Children

Tongue tie in children might affect their oral health and speech development. They can significantly enhance their quality of life with a tailored tongue tie surgery.

Adults

Adults often seek tongue tie operations for relief from symptoms such as speech impediments, TMJ pain, or even snoring. Combining tongue tie surgery with myofunctional therapy ensures optimal results.

Integrated Myofunctional Therapy

An integral part of our treatment protocols is myofunctional therapy. Exercises used in this therapy help to strengthen and coordinate the muscles of the tongue and face. Whether you’re undergoing a tongue tie operation or being treated for TMJ issues, myofunctional therapy plays a pivotal role in ensuring lasting outcomes.

Expertise and complete treatment are essential for treating TMJ issues or tongue tie. Whether you’re searching for the best tongue tie surgery options or a trusted TMJ specialist in Mumbai, we ensure personalized care and transformative results. Don’t let these conditions stop you—reach out to us today to book your consultation and start your journey toward better health and wellness.