All About Teeth Grinding

Dr. Mudita Agrawal and her team at Future Dental Care offers her patients some of the most advanced dental care in the region. This includes advanced cosmetic dentistry procedures to enhance the smile. Teeth grinding is a common dental health issue. Let's take a moment to consider what it is and how it can be treated.

About Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Teeth grinding refers to the act of shifting and clenching your teeth while asleep or awake. This can lead to headaches during the morning, jaw pain, sore teeth, sore gums, and a host of other serious issues.

The Causes of Teeth Grinding

The most common causes of teeth grinding are as follows:

• Excessive stress
• Poor jaw /bone alignment
• Poor dental alignment
• Use of certain medications/drugs

It's not uncommon for people to experience a combination of the above when they suffer from teeth grinding.

The Risks of Teeth Grinding Going Untreated

If a case of teeth grinding goes untreated, it can lead to a number of serious dental health problems, including:

Tooth Damage: The constant pressure placed on the teeth can lead to chips, cracks, and weakening of the tooth structure. 

Gum Recession: In addition to affecting the teeth, bruxism can also lead to receding gums. This means the exposure of more of a tooth's roots. This can lead to tooth decay below the gum line, tooth sensitivity, and even loose teeth and tooth loss.

TMJ Disorders: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complicated joints in the body. The stress placed on the structures of the jaw can result in a TMJ disorder, which means an issue with the overall alignment and function of the jaw joint. This results in jaw pain as well as clicking, locking, and poor overall mobility of the jaw.

Bite Guards for Teeth Grinding

A bite guard is a type of retainer that is worn during sleep. The bite guard prevents the teeth of the upper dental arch from making contact with the teeth of the lower dental arch. This reduces the amount of pressure exerted on the teeth and the jaw, which alleviates symptoms associated with teeth grinding.

Orthodontics for Teeth Grinding

Since dental alignment can lead to teeth grinding in many cases, orthodontic care is a common treatment for teeth grinding. By improving the overall alignment of a person's bite, a patient is less likely to experience issues with teeth grinding when they are asleep as the teeth have a relaxed resting position.

Stress Management for Teeth Grinding

Relieving stress is a great way to help treat teeth grinding. This may mean exercise, relaxation techniques, and other strategies to keep anxiety under control.

Proper Treatment Means Identifying the Cause(s)

Ultimately, a combination of the above is not uncommon for treating teeth grinding. For the most effective care possible, it's important that dentists identify the underlying cause of the teeth grinding and treat that.

Contact us at 650-780-9429 or email us at doctor@futuredentalcare.com for more information. We would love to talk further with you.