Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) Treatment Mesa AZ

patient with pained facial expression rubbing her jaw while in bed

Bruxism is the term for the habit of gnashing, teeth grinding, and teeth clenching. Often, people grind, gnash, or clench their teeth while they are asleep or during waking hours.

Bruxism exerts too much pressure on their teeth and jaws, which can cause dental damage, jaw pain, and headaches, among other problems. Visit us at Timothy H. Kindt, DDS and explore the various treatment options for teeth grinding.

What Is Bruxism?

Bruxism is a term for the unconscious grinding, gnashing, and clenching of teeth. It is called unconscious because it happens involuntarily when a person is asleep or about to get up. Bruxism is apparently common among children, adolescents, and young adults, but it can also affect older people.

Bruxism is considered the most dangerous for your teeth. Teeth grinding during sleep applies substantial pressure of up to 250 pounds of force. That force is enough to cause tooth wear, impact your jaw, cause neck pain, induce intense headaches, and other problems that can last a lifetime.

Types of Bruxism

There are three known types of sleep bruxism. Understanding each type is important as it sets the foundation for knowing which treatment option is most suitable, as each type requires a different approach.

Sleep Bruxism

Sleep bruxism is the most common type of bruxism. It occurs mostly at night when you are asleep, and many people with this type of bruxism are not even aware. If you have a partner, they might tell you that you grind your teeth at night because the sound of the grinding can wake someone up.

Child Bruxism

Child bruxism is the less-threatening type of bruxism. According to WebMD, 15 percent to 33 percent of children grind their teeth. Children also grind their teeth when they are growing their baby teeth. Children can grind their teeth when permanent teeth come through. For most children, the problem goes away after their teeth are fully erupted, but they will have bruxism if they continue to grind their teeth anyway.

Awake Bruxism

Awake bruxism is the type of teeth grinding and clenching that occurs when you are awake. For example, you might clench your teeth while feeling stressed. In fact, most people who grind their teeth while awake do not even realize that they are doing it.

Primary and Secondary Bruxism

There are two categories of bruxism: primary and secondary bruxism. Each of these categories emerges from a consideration of what causes it in the first place. For example, primary bruxism is not related to any medical condition, while secondary bruxism is linked to medical issues, such as neurological issues or side effects of some drugs. Dr. Kindt will be able to ascertain which category of bruxism you are experiencing.

Major Causes of Teeth Grinding

People with bruxism have specific personality types that cause the condition. Bruxism is caused by too much stress. You are most likely to grind, clench, and gnash your teeth when you are a person with nervous tension, such as pain, anger, or frustration. If your personality type is also hurried, aggressive, or competitive, you can be affected by bruxism.

Most of these qualities are related to the state of your mind, meaning that an imbalance in brain neurotransmitters causes bruxism. This conclusion also explains why bruxism can affect you if you are on anti-depressant medication.

How Doctors Diagnose Bruxism

Our dentist can diagnose bruxism during a regular checkup without a special appointment. Signs and symptoms include flattened teeth tips, facial pain, sensitive teeth, chipped or cracked teeth, tense facial muscles, a dislocated jaw, headaches, worn tooth enamel, and damage to the inside of your cheeks.

Effects of Bruxism

The effects of teeth grinding depend on its severity. If your teeth grinding is chronic and very severe, it is most likely going to cause loosening, fracturing, or tooth loss. In some cases, teeth grinding can wear down the teeth to the gums. In addition to severe damage to your teeth, chronic teeth grinding can affect your jaws, cause TMJ disorder, and affect the shape of your face.

Bruxism Treatment Options

Our dentist will determine the best treatment option for your type of bruxism. Several other issues come into consideration when treating bruxism, including your age, your overall health and medical history, any effects from a specific medication, and if you have any preferences. Bruxism is treatable using any of the following treatment options:

Night Mouth Guard

A night mouth guard, also known as a dental splint, is a device designed to keep your mouth open when you are asleep. A night mouth guard is suitable for persons with sleep bruxism because it absorbs the grinding or biting force, preventing that force from getting to your teeth.

If you have awake bruxism, you might need to wear your mouth guard during the day to prevent any damage to your teeth. A night mouth guard is also a suitable treatment for bruxism because it eventually instigates a change in behavior, and you might let go of your teeth-grinding habit completely.

Behavior Change

Dr. Kindt will also help you undertake certain exercises that can help you let go of your teeth-grinding habit, such as learning how to rest your lips, tongue, and teeth properly. You will also learn how to rest your tongue upwards as a remedy to any discomfort you feel in your jaw as you try to keep your teeth apart.

Medicine

In addition to using remedies that can help you change your habits, there are specific medicines that are used to treat bruxism. Dr. Kindt will recommend some medicines that can help regulate the neurotransmitters. We also recommend changing your anti-depressant medicines if they are the cause of bruxism.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback uses an electronic device that measures the level of activity in your mouth and jaw and sends out signals when there is too much activity. Grinding your teeth takes significant movement, and biofeedback can indicate when the grinding starts and when it should stop.

Get Treated for Bruxism by Our Experts

Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a serious condition that can completely wear down your teeth if you do not seek dental care. Visit us at Timothy H. Kindt, DDS to discuss the different treatment options for your teeth-grinding problem. Contact us at (480) 939-5818 to schedule your appointment today and experience jaw pain relief.

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Treatment for Bruxism Mesa AZ
There are different treatments available for our Mesa, AZ patients who are suffering from any type of bruxism (tooth grinding) & its effects. Call today!
Timothy H. Kindt, DDS, 1244 N Greenfield Road, Suite 105, Mesa, AZ 85205 / (480) 939-5818 / drkindt.com / 9/16/2024 / Key Phrases: dentist /