What is teeth grinding?
Teeth grinding occurs when your jaw clenches and your upper teeth and lower teeth grind against each other. It can result from poor sleeping habits, stress, and genetics. Teeth grinding can lead to wear-and-tear, teeth damage, pain, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
Treatment helps save your teeth from damage and can reduce pain associated with teeth grinding.
What are the complications of teeth grinding?
Complications associated with teeth grinding include:
- A stiff or sore jaw
- Morning headaches
- Sleep disruption
- Teeth wear-and-tear
- Tooth pain or sensitivity
- Facial pain
- Dental restoration damage
- TMJ disorders
If you have fillings, inlays, onlays, crowns, bridges, veneers, or other dental restorations, teeth grinding can damage or loosen them.
Which teeth grinding treatments are available?
At Palmetto Family Dental, your provider offers numerous treatments that provide relief from symptoms associated with teeth grinding. Examples include:
Oral appliances
Wearing a night guard or other oral appliance can protect your teeth from damage associated with teeth grinding. Palmetto Family Dental offers custom-fit night guards to protect your teeth while you sleep. Daytime oral appliances are also available.
TMJ treatments
TMJ treatments available at Palmetto Family Dental include physical therapy, at-home jaw stretches, massage, night guards, medications, and injections. Your provider might suggest stress-reduction strategies like meditation, regular exercise, yoga, or tai chi.
Dental restorations
If your teeth get damaged from teeth grinding, Palmetto Family Dental offers treatments that repair teeth and protect them from future damage. Examples include fillings, inlays, onlays, crowns, and veneers.
Clear aligners
If teeth grinding results from crooked teeth or a misaligned bite, Palmetto Family Dental offers ClearCorrect™ aligners to slowly shift your teeth into a more desirable alignment and reduce grinding.
How can I reduce teeth grinding at home?
To properly care for your teeth at home, follow your provider’s instructions. Wear a mouthguard at night or during the day as recommended. Reduce stress as much as possible, and visit Palmetto Family Dental every six months for a routine cleaning and dental exam.
Don’t let teeth grinding wear down your teeth, damage dental restorations, cause pain, or ruin your beautiful smile. Book an appointment with Palmetto Family Dental by phone or online today.
