Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a condition in which you grind or clench your teeth. You may not realize that you are grinding or clenching your teeth throughout the day, or you may be doing it while you sleep. A mild case may not require treatment, but teeth grinding can lead to serious jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth, and other problems. Doctors Kim Daxon has plenty of experience working with patients who suffer from teeth grinding.
Signs and Symptoms of Teeth Grinding:
- Teeth grinding or clenching, this may occur while you are sleeping and be loud enough to wake your sleep partner.
- Worn, flattened, fractured or chipped teeth
- Worn tooth enamel
- Tooth sensitivity
- Jaw pain or tightness in the jaw muscles
- Earache
- Headache
- Facial pain
- Damaged tissue on the inside of your cheek
Teeth grinding may be caused by malocclusion or improper alignment of the bite. Using the latest technology in bite analysis, Dr. Daxon can identify an imbalance in your bite and suggest a treatment plan to repair the jaw joints and occlusion. Other causes for teeth grinding are related to psychological conditions such as anxiety, stress, tension, and anger as well as complications from disorders such as Parkinson’s disease or Huntington’s disease.
Common treatments that Dr. Daxon uses to treat teeth grinding are splint therapy and mouth guards. Splints and mouth guards are constructed of hard acrylic or high-grade plastic, custom made, and molded to fit over your upper and lower teeth. Usually worn while you sleep, the teeth grinding splint or mouth guard protects your teeth from damage and reduces muscle strain.
When teeth grinding is caused by malocclusion, Dr. Daxon may work to repair the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Teeth that have been affected by teeth grinding may be repaired through a range of restorative and cosmetic dental procedures.
If you are suffering because of teeth grinding, contact Daxon Dentistry for your evaluation and learn what treatment options are available for you.