San Francisco and Marin CA
Do you grind or clench your teeth? This behavior is known clinically as bruxism and it can cause significant damage to your teeth, mouth, and jaw joints.
The warning signs of bruxism
The American Dental Association recently completed a study that found that as many as 15 percent of adults in the nation deal with some form of bruxism.
While some individuals grind their teeth during the day, many patients with bruxism exhibit the behavior while they sleep. If you wake up on a regular basis and notice tooth pain, sore jaws, or a dull headache, then bruxism could be the reason.
Anxiety and stress are the most common causes of bruxism. The behavior also can develop in individuals who suffer from a bite misalignment or as a consequence of a sleep breathing disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea.
The risks of bruxism
A patient with bruxism may engage in the behavior daily, several times a day or with less frequency. When a person grinds his or her teeth, it can exert as much as 600 pounds of additional force per square inch on your back teeth, or molars. Patients who grind their teeth frequently or vigorously can cause significant damage to their teeth and oral health. According to a 2009 article published by The Chicago Tribune, as many as 10 percent of bruxism patients wear down their teeth to the nubs, resulting in the need for complete tooth replacement.
Bruxism also can lead to misaligned bite, jaw dysfunction, and other problems including temporomandibular disorder (TMJ), which can lead to significant pain in the neck, head, and shoulders, as well as headaches of migraine-like intensity.
Treatment
At Glen Park Dental, we can prescribe a customized mouth guard for patients suffering from bruxism.
These mouth guards are professional grade and are of a much higher quality and fit than mouth guards and anti-snoring mouthpieces that are available for purchase over the counter in stores. The dentists at Glen Park Dental designs each mouth guard from impressions of the patient’s mouth; no two are alike, so each guard will fit well and provide maximum effectiveness.
If you or a member of your family suffers from bruxism, Glen Park Dental can help. Contact our office at (415) 585-1500 to schedule an appointment.
Glen Park Dental provides comprehensive, compassionate, quality oral health care for patients in the areas of San Francisco and Marin California.
