Bruxism: Why You Clench or Grind Your Teeth

Bruxism, TMJ relief

Hollywood A-lister George Clooney has a signature smile that makes his personality stand out on screen. The 59-year old celebrity exudes a relaxed and calm persona that charms people to no end. He uses his pearly whites to project this image in many of his films, including the Ocean’s Eleven franchise and other blockbuster movies in which he was the star.

Behind that smile is a painful secret he has kept from the public for years. He suffers from bruxism and spent a fortune recently on veneers to hide the damage. People with bruxism often feel pain in their temporomandibular joints located on each side of the upper jaw and are connected to the skull. Pain from the condition can be intense, and almost everyone would need to get some form of TMJ relief.

 

What is Bruxism?

Clooney and thousands of people worldwide suffer from a condition called Bruxism, which makes a person unconsciously clench the jaws tight and grind teeth. While it is not a life-threatening ailment, it leaves behind many adverse effects.

 

Signs & Effects of Bruxism

You may be suffering from bruxism if you have any of these signs:

  • Flat appearance of teeth
  • Scratched or worn-out tooth enamel
  • Pain in one or both ears
  • Throbbing headache that is intense around the temple area
  • Soreness or pain around the face
  • Pain in the jawline

Persons who have these signs and symptoms need to consider getting TMJ relief from a trusted health care provider.

 

Known Causes of Bruxism

There are a host of reasons why people develop bruxism. Some of the known causes of this condition are:

  • Stress
  • Tension
  • Anxiety
  • Frustration 

These sound like normal emotional reactions to the daily struggles of life, right? Yes, these are common ways to show the impact of irritations, challenges, or problems that arise at work or our personal lives.  However, these reactions are rooted in physiological issues that give rise to many other health concerns, for example, a temporomandibular joint disorder.

 

What is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?

As mentioned earlier,  the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint found on each side of the upper jaw that connects to the skull.  The TMJ serves as a hinge to keep the skull and jaws together and functional for speaking, chewing food, and other daily functions involving those parts of the head. People with TMJ disorder feel the following signs and symptoms:

  •  A tender jaw or cheek
  • Difficulty in biting, chewing, or speaking
  • Facial pain
  • Ache around the ears
  • Lockjaw or difficulty in closing the mouth

TMJ relief is needed considering that the condition’s effect can render a person unable to speak, eat, or drink.

 

TMJ Disorder & Neck Pain Connection

We don’t usually think that the neck is involved in the movement of our jaw. The fact is, the jaw and the neck are very interrelated in function. Any pain or injury on one part affects the other.  The temporomandibular joints are very close to the topmost vertebrae of the spine. These vertebrae are called the C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) bones.  These cylindrical bones are essential because:

  • They are responsible for providing stability and movement in the neck.
  • The C1 and C2 bones protect our central nervous system.
  • The atlas and axis bones help protect the brainstem.
  • The C1 and C2 bones help control muscle movement in the jaw and face. 

 

These bones are so important that any misalignment or injury usually results in pain and difficulty of movement. When the atlas and axis bones are not correctly aligned, the muscle tension on the face and jaw is affected.  One of the negative results of this misalignment is bruxism.

 

Natural Way to Get TMJ and Bruxism Pain Relief

Suppose you’re like George Clooney, whose teeth are already so damaged that he needed new veneers, perhaps working with a good orthodontist is one of the options on your health care horizon. For the pain, however, there is an available method today that’s not only inexpensive but also all-natural and non-invasive.

Upper cervical chiropractic is a means to get pain relief from bruxism or TMJ disorder. This adjustment works well for addressing pain from bruxism and for getting TMJ relief.  Using very careful, precise, and gentle movements, an upper cervical chiropractor restores the C1 and C2 bone alignment.

By getting an upper cervical spine adjustment, the body goes back to its original structural design or alignment, which is necessary for optimal health.

If you have pain from bruxism, suffer from TMJ disorder, and other musculoskeletal ailments, you need to learn more about upper cervical health and the natural, effective ways to deal with pain and discomfort.  

Get back on track to health and visit a local upper cervical chiropractor near your city today.

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

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