Millions of people suffer from a night time teeth grinding, a condition also known as teeth grinding. This sleep disorder should be taken seriously if you suffer from it. Teeth grinding can lead to many dental problems and TMJ disorders. Teeth grinding is one of the dental concerns that we treat in our Glyndon, Maryland office.
Most people who grind their teeth at night are not even aware that they are doing it. In fact, you may be coping with many side effects of it and not even realize why you are suffering. Dr. Leah Romay with Baltimore Dental Co. offers treatment for teeth grinding in Glyndon, MD, for patients who are suffering from the side effects of this condition.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is a medical condition that is defined as people who grind their teeth or clench their jaw very hard. It affects children and adults however children tend to grow out of it as they get older. Some people have symptoms while do other so not.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
It may be difficult to pin point what is causing your teeth grinding. The exact cause seems to be linked to several factors including physical, genetics, and psychological factors. While an excess of life stress, acid reflux, sleep apnea, and other sleep disorders can lead to teeth grinding, it can also be caused by an abnormal bite and missing teeth. TMJ disorders are a common problem we treat that can lead to bruxism.
Signs of Teeth Grinding
It is hard for patients to grind their teeth and not show any signs or symptoms. There are typically some telling signs that it is occurring. Even if you grind your teeth strictly at night, there are some obvious symptoms that you may be overlooking. The common symptoms of teeth grinding include:
- Frequent morning headaches
- Obvious worn down teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Painful jaw joints or sore and tight jaw muscles
- Ear pain or pain on the side of your face
- Damage to the tissue on the inside of your mouth
In most cases, your dentist will be able to diagnose you with bruxism. Even if you are unaware that you are grinding your teeth, your dentist can see the damage it is doing to your teeth. This is simply another reason why regular dental checkups every six months are so vital to your oral health.
Treatment for Teeth Grinding in Glyndon, MD
Dr. Romay offers several treatments to help with your teeth grinding.
Custom Nightguards
A nightguard is simply a custom nighttime mouthguard that protects your teeth. Your dentist will custom make it to fit perfectly in your mouth from dental impressions. This way it fits perfectly over your teeth to protect your teeth while you sleep. This custom dental treatment will protect your teeth from the constant nighttime grinding and clenching. It will significantly reduce your risk of damaging your teeth.
Bite Alignment Therapy
Teeth grinding and TMJ issues can be cause from malocclusion which is simply an unaligned bite. If teeth can brought together in properly, this can sometimes eliminate teeth grinding and clenching. We offer several treatments to help our patients align their bite. This includes Invisalign®, SureSmile®, porcelain veneers, and dental crowns.
If you suffer from teeth grinding, do not be afraid to seek treatment from your dentist. Dr. Leah Romay offers several treatments to address your teeth grinding in Glyndon, MD. Call our office today at 410.220.4680 to set up an appointment. You can also request an appointment online.