TMJ & Bruxism Treatment in Brandon, FL

Do you experience migraines, jaw pain, teeth grinding, or any other signs of problems with your jaw joint (TMJ)?

These are signs of temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD that occurs when the TMJ does not function properly. These and other symptoms of TMD can be painful and disruptive and can become so debilitating that they interfere with your quality of life.

At Walker & Barr, DMD, we are pleased to offer effective TMJ pain treatment and relief using custom night guards and therapy techniques.

What Causes TMJ Pain?

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) control the up-and-down and side-to-side movement of the lower jaw. As you can imagine, they do a significant amount of work every day as we open and close our mouths to eat, speak, chew, swallow, and yawn.

The muscles and ligaments that surround the TMJs can experience excessive strain and become sore and painful, especially if you experience any of the following:

• Stress and anxiety
• Jaw, neck, or head injury
• Arthritis in the TMJ
• A misaligned dental bite
• Chronic teeth grinding (bruxism)

What Are Symptoms of TMJ Disorder?

There are numerous signs that you may have a problem with your TMJ: 

• Jaw pain or tenderness
• Headaches and migraines
• Pain behind the eyes, face, neck, or shoulders
• Pain when chewing
• Pain when opening or closing the mouth
• Jaw clicking and popping
• Jaw joint locked open or closed
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

If you experience any of these symptoms, you may benefit from TMJ treatment and pain relief at our Brandon, FL, dental office. Please contact Walker & Barr, DMD to schedule an appointment—we would love to help you!

Dr. Walker and Dr. Barr use noninvasive testing and advanced techniques to study the pattern of your jaw movements and recommend optimal treatment options. 

Custom Night Guards for Teeth Grinding

One effective treatment is a custom night guard that prevents the upper and lower jaw from coming into direct contact during sleep. The appliance helps minimize strain on the jaw joint for those who unconsciously clench and grind their teeth during sleep.

Since the night guard cushions your teeth when you grind, the TMJ doesn't have to absorb the pressure and has several hours to rest and recover overnight.

TMJ Stress Relief Therapies

Stress and anxiety that lead to teeth grinding and clenching is often the source of TMJ pain. At Walker & Barr, DMD, many patients find relief with simple stress-reducing techniques such as yoga and meditation.

For others, we can achieve the best results with a combination of therapeutic measures, such as jaw stretches, physical therapy, acupuncture, and stress-relieving medication. 

BOTOX® Injections Relieve Migraines and TMJ Pain

At Walker & Barr, DMD in Brandon, FL, we offer BOTOX for cosmetic purposes and to minimize TMJ pain and migraines. Dr. Barr injects BOTOX at points along the jaw, temple, and forehead to limit movement and offer TMJ pain relief that lasts as long as 3–6 months.

Arrange TMJ Treatment in Brandon, FL

We understand how the painful symptoms of TMJ disorder can overtake your life. Our dentists would love to help you break free from a life of pain with the individualized TMJ treatment plan that's most effective for you.

Please contact Walker & Barr, DMD, today and take your first step toward a more functional, pain-free mouth.

We proudly serve friends and neighbors Brandon and the surrounding communities of Valrico, Riverview, Seffner, Plant City, Apollo Beach, Tampa, and beyond.