Teeth Grinding Treatment

 What are the signs of bruxism?

– Some of the common signs include;
– Flattened, broken or chipped teeth
– Tired jaw muscles
– Experiencing tightness, fatigue or pain in the jaw
– Worn out enamel
– Neck and Face pain
– Frequent headaches
– Jaw won’t open or close properly
– Frequent earaches
– Sleep disruption
– Your tongue has odd indentations
– A popping or clicking in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
– Your cheeks are damaged in the inside from biting
– Sudden sensitivity of teeth
– Jaw dislocation
– Your sleeping partner or others have told you that you grind your teeth while sleeping
– You experience disorders that occur in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), located just in front of your ears, which may sound like clicking when you open and close your mouth

If you have experienced any of these signs for a while, it is time to let Dr. Vanessa Wadden know. If you are not sure whether it might be bruxism, consult your partner or friend. They would be in a better position to notice the extent of damage before you do. We also recommend contacting us directly for more information about your problem.

Why does it happen?

The most common cause of bruxism is stress. Stress, anger, frustration, and anxiety is a common condition most people experience. Bruxism occurs as a physical manifestation through these psychological problems.

Other risk factors that contribute to bruxism include;

Age – Bruxism is a common condition in young children but tends to go away as they grow older

Genetics – Sleep bruxism is a common condition among family members. If a member of your family has bruxism, it is very likely that you have it or your family has had a history of it.

Medicinal drugs and other substances– Some psychiatric medications, such as antidepressants, may cause bruxism, though it is a rare side effect. The use of other drug substances, including tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol, are also known to contribute to this condition.

Personality– Your personality can increase the risk of bruxism, especially if you are hyperactive, quick-tempered, competitive, and aggressive.

Other conditions and disorders– Bruxism is common in people with other conditions that affect mental stability, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Huffington’s disease, night terrors, epilepsy, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD). Sleep-related disorders, such as sleep apnea, can also cause bruxism.

This psychosomatic disease tends to worsen in patients with the following factors.

– Missing teeth
– An Abnormal bite
– Recent dental work
– Improperly aligned teeth
– Crooked teeth
– Recent orthodontic work

At Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry, you will find all the help you need to cure and prevent dental problems. We offer several treatments for bruxism, depending on its severity. A common solution is wearing appliances that will prevent grinding or clenching. Other forms of treatment include Botox injections, myofunctional, and stress reduction therapies involving facial exercises such as teeth, lips & tongue alignment.

Taking preventative measures to reduce or stop the habit of clenching and grinding teeth is vital and Dr. Vanessa Wadden & all our staff will certainly help you with that. Incorporating good practices in your routines such as meditation, physical exercise, and other stress elevating habits will help in treating bruxism. Counseling is a good solution, as well. If you live around Muscatine, contact us so you can finally get the help you need.