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. Teeth grinding can not only affect the health of your teeth, but it is also linked to complex bite disorders and 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.
What Causes Tooth 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. Bruxism may be caused by one or more of the following:
- Occlusion: When the bite is misaligned, it can lead to tooth grinding. Our team is skilled in performing diagnostic testing to determine if there is any dysfunction in the bite.
- Other Reasons: Teeth grinding may be caused by certain types of medication, medical movement disorders, and a combination of genetic, physiological, and physical factors.
- Stress: Stress can cause a physical response in your body, which can sometimes manifest itself as bruxism.
Common Signs of Tooth Grinding
Patients with bruxism are more prone to tooth damage such are chipped teeth, broken or fractured tooth, 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
- Tooth sensitivity
- Recurring headaches
Treating Teeth Grinding
At The Stein Center for Advanced Dentistry, we provide comprehensive treatment plans for patients with TMJ. During your consultation, Dr. Stein will discuss your symptoms and perform a complete dental evaluation to determine the best treatment option 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 night guard can prevent the biting surfaces of the teeth from coming together.
Schedule a Consultation
The Stein Center for Advanced Dentistry is committed to providing 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 847.920.4747 or request an appointment online.