Grove's Blog

Grove's Blog

Posts for tag: Teeth Clenching

August 09, 2010
Category: Dental
Tags: Bruxism   Teeth Grinding   Teeth Clenching   TMJ   TMD  

Bruxism can be a real headache, but Grove Dental can help

Bruxism - Grove DentalBruxism, also known as teeth grinding or clenching, is a common, involuntary condition that most often occurs during sleep. Bruxism can affect men, women and children, and because most people grind at night, many individuals suffering from bruxism aren't even aware of their condition.

Left untreated, chronic teeth grinding can lead to a number of problems, the most obvious being dental damage. Repeated grinding can result in fractured, loosened and even complete tooth loss. In severe cases, teeth grinding may even erode healthy layers of enamel, exposing the inside of the tooth which causes sensitivity. Other common signs include unexplained headaches, jaw pain/tightness and temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ).

The exact cause for teeth grinding is unknown, but daily stress is thought to be a common trigger of clenching for many people. Other patients grind because of dental problems, such as an abnormal alignment of the upper and lower teeth, in which orthodontic treatment may be needed to correct the misaligned bite.

Since most people unintentionally grind at night, it can be difficult to identify and control your bruxism. Grove dentists can recognize the physical warning signs of bruxism easily. That's why it's crucial to maintain regular visits to ensure teeth grinding is diagnosed early and stopped before serious, irreversible damage occurs. We'll work with you identify the cause of your bruxism and determine the best treatment to minimize the pain and reduce dental damage.

Get Your Bruxism Under Control with a Nighttime Mouthguard
While there are simple behavioral mechanisms you can try to help reduce your teeth grinding, including stress management, often times these methods only provide temporary relief and grinding resumes.

What if you could put an end to your nighttime grinding and save your teeth by simply wearing a mouthguard? You can. Whether your clenching is triggered by stress or a malocclusion, Grove offers custom-fitted mouthguards that can be worn through the night to protect teeth from the grinding motion. Our mouthguards are specially designed to achieve maximum comfort and function for our chronic grinders. This retainer-like appliance is worn between the top and bottom teeth, absorbing the force of the grinding motion to reduce irritation and dental damage. All you have to do is slip on the mouth piece before you go to bed. The result? A good night's rest and a protected smile.

If you suspect dental damage caused by teeth grinding or you wake up in the mornings with unexplained facial, jaw and head pain, visit Grove Dental for a careful evaluation. Our dentists are trained in treating bruxism and repairing dental damage caused by teeth grinding to help you achieve an improved quality of life that doesn't involve clenching.

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Dentist - Downers Grove, Grove Dental Associates, 6800 Main Street, Third Floor, Downers Grove IL, 60516 (630) 969-5350