Do You Grind Your Teeth?
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common dental concern that often occurs at night while asleep. For this reason, many patients are unaware that they clench or grind their teeth until they visit their dentist. Some patients notice teeth getting shorter or worn down. Worn teeth are the number-one sign of an untreated teeth grinding condition. Teeth grinding can not only affect the health of your teeth but it is also linked to complex bite disorders and Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ & TMD).
Dr. Abraham Stein provides patients with an in-depth examination, visual screening, and comprehensive bite analysis during every routine dental visit. Early intervention and comprehensive treatment for teeth grinding can prevent future complications and restore balance to your smile.
Treating Teeth Grinding in Skokie, IL
At The Stein Center for Advanced Dentistry, we provide comprehensive treatment plans for patients with TMJ disorders. During your consultation, Dr. Stein will discuss your symptoms and perform a complete dental evaluation to determine the best teeth grinding solution for you. Treatments may include one or more of the following solutions for teeth grinding:
- Orthodontics: For patients with crooked or misaligned teeth, we may recommend orthodontics to realign your teeth. Ask us about Invisalign treatment during your appointment.
- Restorative Dentistry: If you have experienced tooth damage as a result of tooth grinding, dental bonding, dental crowns, and other restorative dentistry treatments to repair your tooth.
- Mouthguards/Night Guard: A custom mouthguard or night guard can prevent the biting surfaces of your teeth from coming together and stop grinding.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
If you notice symptoms like worn teeth, facial pain, or regular headaches, you may want to visit our office for a screening. During your appointment, our team can look for signs of bruxism, uncover the underlying cause of bruxism, and recommend the best plan of action. The causes of bruxism may include one or more of the following:
- Occlusion: When the bite is misaligned, it can lead to tooth grinding. Our skilled team performs diagnostic testing to determine if there is any dysfunction in the bite.
- Other Reasons: Certain types of medication, medical movement disorders, and a combination of genetic, physiological, and physical factors can cause teeth grinding.
- Stress: Stress can cause a physical response in your body, which can sometimes manifest itself as bruxism.
Common Signs of Teeth Grinding
Patients with bruxism are more prone to tooth damage, such as chipped teeth, broken or fractured teeth, and worn teeth. In addition to tooth damage, tooth grinding can also cause these chronic symptoms:
- Jaw pain
- Popping or clicking of the jaw
- Pain or discomfort when moving the jaw
- Painful chewing
- Earaches
- Tooth sensitivity
- Recurring headaches
Teeth Grinding FAQs
Can worn down teeth be repaired?
Yes! Some people think that worn down teeth cannot be repaired. This is not true! The truth is that the enamel will always be there, and we can restore it to its original appearance. After addressing teeth grinding issues, we provide many options for tooth repair including dental crowns, tooth bonding, and porcelain veneers.
Can you naturally stop teeth grinding?
Changing up your diet can prevent teeth grinding from occurring. Foods high in magnesium, such as almonds, spinach, bananas, fish, and peanut butter are all good for stopping teeth grinding. The magnesium in these foods helps relax muscle tissues and prevents jaw spasms.
How can I relax my jaw at night?
A great way to train yourself to not grind your teeth is to put your tongue in between both sets of teeth. This trains your jaw muscles to relax, so you do not bite your tongue. Holding a warm compress up against your cheek is another way to calm jaw muscles.
What vitamin deficiency causes teeth grinding?
Being deficient in calcium or magnesium has been linked to teeth grinding. If you grind your teeth, a great first step to stop is to increase your intake of these vitamins. You can take them in a supplement or find them in foods.
The Stein Center for Advanced Dentistry provides personalized solutions for all of your dentistry needs. We proudly welcome patients in Skokie, Park Ridge, Northfield, Winnetka, and surrounding communities to visit our office to explore your treatment options for bruxism. To schedule an appointment, call 847.750.3125 or request an appointment online.