Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is the process of grinding or clenching the teeth. Whether you grind your teeth consciously or unconsciously, our goal is to identify the underlying cause to build an effective treatment plan. Dr. Ken Schweifler treats patients with teeth grinding in Los Altos, CA, to relieve daily facial pain and discomfort from this common dental concern. If you wake up with morning headaches or jaw pain, Dr. Schweifler is here to help you understand your symptoms and get the best care.
How Can Teeth Grinding Affect Your Oral Health?
Teeth grinding can cause many symptoms:
- Earaches
- Facial pain
- Jaw tightness
- Chipped, fractured, or cracked teeth
- Flattened or worn teeth
If left untreated, patients may experience tooth sensitivity and dental pain. In advanced cases, teeth grinding can lead to TMJ complications.
Some patients don’t realize they grind their teeth because they don’t have symptoms. This is especially true if teeth grinding and clenching occur during sleep. A routine visit designed to analyze the teeth, gums, joints, and muscles can help our team spot signs of teeth grinding.
Treatment for Teeth Grinding in Los Altos
Treatment for teeth grinding depends on its underlying cause. Dr. Schweifler will thoroughly examine the joints, muscles, teeth, and gums for signs of teeth grinding. Once he finds the cause of your teeth grinding, Dr. Schweifler will explore all plausible treatment options and build a personalized treatment plan.
Treatment aims to address any damage and prevent further teeth grinding and damage.
- Oral Appliance Therapy: For patients with TMD, a splint can prevent the teeth from coming together and help reposition the bite. A TMJ splint is similar to a mouthguard and allows your jaw joints and muscles to shift into proper alignment.
- Restorative Dentistry: Depending on the patient’s needs, certain restorative techniques can correct the bite and address signs of damage. Some may benefit from simple tooth bonding, while others may need a more advanced restorative treatment to restore health and balance to their bite.
- Orthodontics: In some cases, realigning the teeth may help release pressure off the biting surfaces of the teeth, which can reduce the risk of teeth grinding.
Teeth Grinding FAQs
Do you grind your teeth but want to know more about bruxism and your treatment options? We welcome you to read answers to common questions about teeth grinding in Los Altos, CA.
What causes teeth grinding?
While teeth grinding can result from stress and anxiety, it may also result from an abnormal bite, missing teeth, crooked teeth, and sleep disorders. Your jaw position, dental trauma, and strain can also contribute to teeth grinding.
What should I do if my child grinds their teeth?
It is not harmful for your child to grind their teeth while sleeping. Many children tend to do it and then grow out of the habit. As long as your child visits the dentist regularly, you do not need to be overly worried. The dentist will check your child’s teeth at each routine checkup to ensure no extensive damage or sensitivity.
Can I make my teeth grinding stop on my own?
Yes! The best way to reduce teeth grinding is your lessen your stress and anxiety. You can also reduce your caffeine consumption from coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate. Lowering your consumption of alcohol will help reduce your chance of dehydration, which can trigger teeth grinding. Massaging and stretching the muscles around the jaw before bed can help reduce the grinding.
Will chewing gum stop teeth grinding?
No! In fact, we recommend avoiding chewing gum as the continual chewing motion will encourage your jaw to clench. Jaw clenching encourages teeth grinding. If you chew gum, begin to limit how much you chew a day to minimize the strain on your teeth and jaw.
Does grinding teeth cause cavities?
Regular teeth grinding can wear away enamel, making teeth more vulnerable to decay. Those who suffer from bruxism frequently experience discomfort in the jaw and teeth, especially around their back molars.
Can grinding cause bone loss?
Yes. Cracks and chips in teeth are just the beginning of the problems arising from bruxism. Grinding stresses the entire jaw and can even lead to bone reduction in the face over time.
Reduce Painful Teeth Grinding Today
Dr. Schweifler is happy to treat tooth grinding and relieve your facial pain. Call his Los Altos office at (650) 489-4620.
You can also schedule an appointment on our website. We’re proud to serve patients from Palo Alto, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View.