Teeth Grinding in McDonough, Palmetto & Zebulon, GA

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is categorized into awake bruxism and sleep bruxism, depending on when it occurs. Bruxism is a detrimental habit that can affect your oral and overall well-being. Individuals who grind their teeth usually report worn teeth, headaches, and jaw pain. Fortunately, there’s a way to overcome teeth grinding in Palmetto, Zebulon, and McDonough, GA. Palmetto Family Dental offers patient-tailored bruxism treatment to help you enjoy dental well-being.

Symptoms of Teeth Grinding 

It may be weeks, months, or years before you realize you have bruxism—especially if it happens at night when you’re asleep. However, if you experience daytime bruxism, a loved one or colleague may bring it to your attention. Some bruxism symptoms to look out for include headaches, jaw pain, worn teeth, heightened tooth sensitivity, fractured teeth, and a locked jaw. These symptoms may take some time to develop. That’s why it’s important to schedule regular dental exams with our dentists near you for close monitoring. Our dentists in Palmetto, Zebulon, and McDonough, GA, are well-versed in detecting dental issues before they become apparent.

What Causes Teeth Grinding? 

Bruxism is often attributed to numerous factors, including stress. For example, individuals experiencing significant stress and anxiety are likely to clench their teeth as a subconscious response. In addition, certain medications and conditions such as sleep apnea and Parkinson’s disease may heighten your risk of teeth grinding.

Teeth Grinding Treatments 

Our dentists evaluate each patient carefully to prescribe a treatment that best corresponds to their unique needs. We prefer to start with conservative, non-invasive therapies before moving on to surgical interventions, if necessary. Bruxism treatments include:

• Stress management. If your bruxism is related to stress and anxiety, our dentists may recommend relaxation techniques.
• Nightguards. Nightguards are similar in form to sports mouthguards, except they’re made from a softer material. They create a soft, firm barrier between the upper and lower teeth, discouraging teeth clenching.
• Muscle relaxants. Muscle relaxants help in the management of bruxism by making the jaw muscles less tense or stiff.
• Orthodontic treatment. Misaligned teeth can lead to teeth grinding. If you’re struggling with malocclusion or a bad bite, our dentists near you may recommend orthodontic treatment to solve this problem.
• Treatment of underlying conditions. In cases where teeth grinding is associated with an underlying challenge, e.g., sleep apnea, treating this condition may help resolve bruxism.

In cases of severe bruxism, surgery, e.g., to correct jaw irregularities, may be an option. Please note, our dentists may also recommend dental crowns and other custom restorations to repair worn teeth. Visit Palmetto Family Dental today to experience personalized treatments for teeth grinding near you.