Our team offers teeth grinding treatment in London, Ontario, at our office on Aldersbrook Road. Many people grind or clench in their sleep and never hear it, so we look for the signs at every checkup.
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is often viewed as a harmless, though annoying, habit. Some people develop bruxism from an inability to deal with stress or anxiety.
However, teeth grinding can literally transform your bite relationship and worse, severely damage your teeth and jaws over long periods of time.
Teeth grinding can cause abrasion to the chewing surfaces of your teeth. This abnormal wear and tear will prematurely age and loosen your teeth, and open them to problems such as hypersensitivity (from the small cracks that form, exposing your dentin). Bruxism can also lead to chronic jaw and facial pain, as well as headaches.
If no one has told you that you grind your teeth, here are a few clues that you may suffer from bruxism:
Bruxism is somewhat treatable. A common therapy involves use of a special appliance worn while sleeping. Less intrusive, though just as effective methods could involve biofeedback, and behavior modification, such as tongue exercises and learning how to properly align your tongue, teeth and lips.
You may wake up with a tired jaw or a dull headache near your temples. Your teeth may feel sore, or sensitive to cold.
Sometimes a partner hears the grinding before you notice anything. Small chips on the edges of your teeth can be a sign too.
Stress and worry are common triggers, and grinding often gets worse during a busy time. For some people, caffeine or alcohol late in the day makes it worse.
A bite that does not line up can lead to clenching. Grinding is also linked to sleep problems like snoring, so tell us if you often wake up tired.
We look at the wear on your teeth and check your jaw muscles and joint. We also ask about your sleep and any morning headaches.
Most people start with a custom night guard, made from an impression of your teeth in our own lab. The lab is in the same building, so small changes can usually be done while you wait.
If grinding has already chipped or worn your teeth, we talk with you about ways to repair them.
Grinding places steady force on your teeth and jaw, and over time it can contribute to jaw disorders and TMD. The usual first step is a set of custom night guards that absorb that pressure while you sleep. If the grinding ties back to a joint issue, our TMJ treatment addresses the cause directly.
Call us if you wake up with jaw pain or headaches most mornings. If a tooth chips or cracks, or your teeth look flatter than they used to, get in touch sooner.
You can reach us at 519-472-4460. We are open Monday and Tuesday from 10 to 7, and Wednesday and Thursday from 8 to 5.
Most people find out from a partner or from a sore jaw in the morning. We can also spot the signs at a checkup, such as flat spots and small chips on your teeth.
Yes. Over time it wears teeth down and can chip or crack them. Worn teeth can also feel sensitive to cold.
A guard protects your teeth from the grinding, even if the habit goes on. It also takes some strain off your jaw muscles while you sleep.
Yes, it is common in young children, and many grow out of it. Mention it at your child’s next visit and we will check their teeth.
