Teeth grinding, known clinically as bruxism, is the unconscious clenching or grating of the teeth. Most people occasionally grind their teeth because of stress or anxiety. However, it can cause significant damage to your dental health when this occurs regularly. One of the main causes of teeth grinding is an imbalance in your bite or TMJ-related disorder.
As a restorative dentist in Dallas, Dr. Huckin provides solutions to fix the issues that teeth grinding causes. He can repair any damage that teeth grinding habits cause to your teeth and mouth.
Am I Grinding My Teeth?
It can be difficult to tell if you have been grinding your teeth if you are doing it while you are sleeping. Often, patients do not know they have been grinding their teeth until tooth damage is clearly visible. This is why we recommend scheduling regular dental exams every 6 months.
When you visit our office for an exam, Dr. Huckin looks for the common signs of teeth grinding. Some common signs include:
- Worn down teeth and flat teeth from grinding
- Chipped and cracked teeth caused by the pressure that teeth grinding places on biting surfaces
- Teeth shifting around, or a change in your bite pattern
- Clicking or popping jaws when chewing because of increased muscle tension
Teeth grinding can also cause soreness in your jaw, shoulders, and neck which is especially noticeable in the morning. Additionally, you may experience ringing in your ears. Without treatment, teeth grinding can lead to the loosening or loss of teeth. Seek treatment as soon as possible if you suspect that you’ve been grinding your teeth.
Teeth Grinding Treatment in Dallas
Dr. Huckin will evaluate your teeth for any signs of damage. First, he will try to determine the underlying cause of your bruxism, and see if it’s because of a TMJ disorder. Together, you will create and discuss your treatment plan. The most popular treatment we provide is a custom night guard.
Our custom-made night guards are oral appliances that a patient wears only at night. The night guard will reposition your jaw, reduce muscle tension, and alleviate pain. Other treatments can include counseling, stress management, seeing a physical therapist, or obtaining a prescription for muscle relaxants.
We will work with you to make sure you get the right combination of treatments that will work for you. Oral appliance therapy is one of the best options for treatment. Most teeth grinding treatment plans include a night guard to take care of teeth grinding overnight.
However, many people still have issues throughout the day. This is when the other forms of therapy come into play. We’ll discuss your goals and your budget to see which options work best for you.
It does sometimes take trial-and-error to find something that completely works. We can give you exercises to try that can help loosen the muscles and tendons in your jaw area. Managing bruxism issues is a process, so we make sure you’re pain-free during the discovery phase.
If you have any of the above signs of teeth grinding, make an appointment and visit our dental office. We will do a full evaluation to determine the best course of action for you. Give us a call or schedule an appointment online.
Teeth Grinding FAQs
Is teeth grinding damage permanent?
Minor teeth grinding may not require treatment. However, you need to address severe or constant grinding as soon as possible to prevent long-term damage to your teeth, jaw, and mouth. Damage to your teeth from grinding is permanent because your tooth enamel does not grow back.
What triggers teeth grinding?
Stress and anxiety are the two highest risk factors that trigger teeth grinding. An underlying issue such as sleep apnea may also cause teeth grinding to worsen. Certain medications may also cause teeth grinding. Talk to your primary physician about the side-effects of your medications and see if you can switch to different ones.
Is teeth grinding genetic?
Compelling evidence suggests that teeth grinding can be a genetic trait. Some families report having a history of tooth grinding. Studies show that high hormone levels may also correlate to bruxism symptoms.
What deficiency causes grinding of teeth?
Both calcium and magnesium deficiencies can contribute to bruxism issues. Eating a well balanced diet is a great way to combat these symptoms. You can also take supplements to get the vitamins you need.
How common is teeth grinding?
Teeth grinding is a fairly common habit. It affects about 33% of adults during the daytime and about 10% at night. Habitual teeth grinding can cause serious damage without medical intervention and treatment.
If you think that you may be grinding your teeth, call our office at 214.216.6577 or request an appointment online! We can diagnose and treat jaw pain issues and more with affordable treatment options. Dr. Huckin provides teeth grinding and bruxism treatments in Dallas, University Park, and surrounding communities.