Jaw Health & Protection
Sports Guards & TMJ Treatment in San Clemente
Protecting the jaw joint, whether the threat is a collision or your own grinding.
The temporomandibular joint does the work every time you chew or speak. When it stops moving cleanly the result is pain, headaches and clicking – and a custom guard is often a large part of the answer.
Dentistry for the whole household.
About TMJ
What TMJ and TMD actually mean
The temporomandibular joint sits on either side of the head and connects the jawbone to the skull. When it malfunctions the condition is called TMD, and it causes jaw pain, headaches and clicking or popping. Common causes are injury, arthritis, teeth grinding and jaw misalignment, and the effects reach into chewing, speaking and sleep.
How Guards Help
What a custom guard does
Guards protect against two different things – impact from outside, and force you generate yourself.
- Preventing dental injuries A protective barrier during contact sports, reducing broken or chipped teeth.
- Absorbing impact Cushioning blows to the face, lessening the force reaching the jaw.
- Managing bruxism A custom-fitted guard helps prevent grinding during sleep and the tooth wear it causes.
- Maintaining jaw alignment Keeping the jaw properly positioned reduces strain on the joint.
- Supporting healing Stabilizing the jaw supports healing and reduces inflammation.
- Confidence in play Athletes can focus on the game rather than on protecting their teeth.
Treatment
The wider options for TMD
A guard is usually part of a plan rather than the whole of it.
- Lifestyle changes Adjustments that reduce the load on the joint, including stress management.
- Physical therapy Work on the muscles and movement around the joint.
- Dental treatment Addressing misalignment and the way the teeth meet.
- Mouthguards Preventing grinding and stabilizing the jaw, which relieves pain and limits further damage.
Fit Matters
Why a custom guard is worth it
Choosing the right guard and looking after it properly is what determines whether it works. A guard that does not fit is not worn, and one that is not worn protects nothing. Custom-fitting is the difference between a device that manages a problem for years and one that lives in a drawer.
Getting Started
Having your jaw assessed
Headaches on waking, a jaw that clicks, or teeth that are wearing flat are all worth mentioning. Talega Dental Group has treated families in San Clemente since 2003, and jaw function is part of a thorough examination.
The short answer
TMJ treatment addresses problems with the temporomandibular joint, the joint on each side of the head that connects the jawbone to the skull, which can cause jaw pain, headaches and clicking or popping when it malfunctions. A custom-fitted guard is often a large part of the treatment, preventing grinding and keeping the jaw properly positioned to reduce strain on the joint. Sports guards use the same custom fit to protect the teeth and jaw from impact during contact sports.
Common Questions
Sports Guards & TMJ FAQ
- What is TMD?
TMD is a disorder of the temporomandibular joint and the muscles around it. The joint sits on either side of the head and connects the jawbone to the skull, and it does the work every time you chew or speak. When it stops moving cleanly, the result is jaw pain, headaches and clicking or popping sounds, and the effects can reach into chewing, speaking and sleep.
- What causes it?
Common causes of TMD include injury, arthritis, teeth grinding and jaw misalignment. More than one can apply at once, and identifying them is part of the examination. Knowing the cause matters because it shapes the treatment, whether that is a guard for grinding or dental treatment for the way the teeth meet.
- How does a mouthguard help TMJ pain?
A mouthguard helps TMJ pain by preventing grinding, keeping the jaw properly positioned and reducing strain on the joint. Grinding during sleep puts force through the joint and wears the teeth, and a guard takes that force. Stabilizing the jaw this way relieves pain and helps protect against further damage.
- Is a custom guard better than a shop-bought one?
A custom-fitted guard is made to your own mouth, which is what makes it comfortable enough to wear and effective at stabilizing the jaw. A guard that does not fit is not worn, and one that is not worn protects nothing. Custom fitting is the difference between a device that manages the problem and one that lives in a drawer.
- Do I need a guard for sport?
If you play a contact sport, a guard reduces the risk of broken or chipped teeth. It acts as a protective barrier and cushions blows to the face, lessening the force that reaches the jaw. That lets athletes focus on the game rather than on protecting their teeth.
- Is a guard the only treatment?
No, a guard is usually part of a plan rather than the whole of it. TMD treatment can also involve lifestyle changes such as stress management, physical therapy for the muscles around the joint, medication, dental treatment for misalignment, injections and, in some cases, surgery. Which of these apply depends on the cause, which is established during the assessment.
Book a visit
Plan your visit
We accept new patients and offer walk-in emergency care.
Address
Phone
Office hours
Your dentist
Dr. Ben Meshkinfam, D.D.S.
University of the Pacific, D.D.S. · Post-doctorate at LAC+USC Medical Center
Insurance & financing
30 HMO and PPO plans accepted
Including Delta Dental, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Guardian, MetLife and Humana. Estimates in writing before treatment.
