World-Class Teeth Grinding Treatment in Huntington Beach, CA
If you want to stop grinding your teeth, we can help. Please call our dental office at 714-897-8980 to request an appointment.
Though your upper and lower teeth make minimal contact while chewing, it’s usually not enough contact to create dental issues. However, some people unconsciously clench, gnash, or grind their teeth, usually while sleeping. This habit is bruxism, and it can lead to severe consequences to your oral health and overall well-being without prompt treatment.
At TLC Family Dentistry, we provide exceptional teeth grinding treatment in Huntington Beach, CA. The staff at our family-friendly dental practice has over 50 years of experience giving quality dental care to patients of all ages, including personalized treatment for bruxism.
Why Teeth Grinding Is Problematic to Teeth and Jaws
Medical professionals consider bruxism to be one of the most common sleep disorders, but it can occur during the day. It affects children, teens, and adults, yet the precise cause of the condition is unclear. However, stress, crooked teeth, or an abnormal bite may contribute to it.
Occasion grinding isn’t harmful to the teeth and jaws. Chronic grinding and clenching, however, can lead to severe dental issues, such as:
- Broken teeth
- Loose teeth
- Flattened teeth
- Fractured teeth
Without treatment, the constant grinding can cause enough damage to teeth to require restorative dental services, which we provide at TLC Family Dentistry. Treatments may include root canals, dental implants, bridges, and dentures.
Chronic bruxism can also injure your jaw, possibly leading to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). TMD is another chronic condition that affects the muscles around the joints connecting the jaw to the skull and causes moderate to severe pain on either side of the face.
Signs You May Be Grinding Your Teeth
Because teeth grinding occurs during sleep, you may wonder if you have the condition. Some people don’t realize they have bruxism until they have a dental exam. Here are some symptoms that often come with the ailment:
- Teeth sensitivity
- Damage to the inside of your cheeks
- Facial pain
- Earaches
- Dull headaches
If you experience any of these symptoms, the staff at TLC Family Dentistry will gladly perform a comprehensive consultation and dental exam. We will look for signs of long-term teeth grinding during the appointment, such as worn-down teeth, specifically canines and incisors in the front of the mouth. If evidence of bruxism is present, we will develop a treatment plan for you.
How to Treat Bruxism
There are several ways to address bruxism, including naturopathic techniques, oral devices, and procedures. If dental damage is present, we will treat that as well.
Mouth Guards
At TLC Family Dentistry, we can create custom mouthguards using an accurate mold of your mouth and high-quality dental materials. The guard will comfortably cover your teeth on either your lower or upper jaw and provide a barrier between them. Instead of gnashing your teeth together, the cushioned barrier will prevent damage and reduce jaw tension.
Botox
Another treatment option for bruxism is Botox, which is an injection that relaxes muscles. It is an effective treatment for teeth grinding because it weakens jaw muscles enough to prevent the action from occurring. However, the injection won’t interfere with other movements like smiling and chewing.
NTI-tss Device
An NTI-TSS device is a type of acrylic mouthguard that helps prevent teeth grinding and alleviates TMD symptoms. When using the device, the malfunctioning jaw muscles can relax in a stable position. A dentist customizes the fit of the device to each patient’s unique bite for maximum comfort and long-term relief.
Natural Approaches
You can reduce the effects of bruxism by combining behavioral changes with dental assistance. For example, alcohol and caffeine may increase the frequency of bruxism, causing teeth to sustain damage quicker. Avoiding foods and beverages with these ingredients may bring some relief.
It is also helpful to pay more attention to your mouth. You might clench your teeth during the day. Try to relax your mouth, and consider eliminating or reducing any stressors that may trigger the action.
Another trick is only to chew food, not other items like pens or gum. Frequent chewing keeps the jaw muscles tense, making it more likely for you to grind your teeth while sleeping.
Seek Teeth Grinding Treatment in Huntington Beach, CA, With Us Today
Don’t allow teeth grinding to interrupt your sleep and damage your teeth. Contact TLC Family Dentistry for our teeth grinding treatment in Huntington Beach, CA. As a full-service dental practice, our team’s mission is to use the latest dental advancements and top-quality materials to improve our patients’ oral health. To request an appointment, please call 714-897-8980.