San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland, CA
Grinding your teeth when you sleep is often the sign of a more serious underlying oral health concern. The condition, more commonly known as bruxism, can create extensive dental problems because of the excessive force on your teeth. Your leading neuromuscular dentists in San Francisco at Glen Park Dental share three things to blame on your teeth grinding habit and how you can stop the negative impact.
Causes of Teeth Grinding
Patients who suffer from bruxism are usually unaware and don’t know why they clench and grind their teeth. After many studies regarding bruxism, there are no straight answers about one thing that causes the condition. However, most patients who suffer from severe bruxism also have heightened stress levels, although stress is not the leading cause of bruxism. Your knowledgeable Oakland dentists advise that bruxism cases could stem temporomandibular joint disorder. TMJ is a jaw joint condition that causes mild to severe pain in your jaws, head, and neck.
Increased Tooth Sensitivity
Bruxism causes intense pressure on your teeth, increasing your tooth sensitivity. Our Bay Area neuromuscular dentists advise that the longer bruxism goes untreated, the more likely extensive damage occurs. Unfortunately, once the pain is severe, you may already have damage to your teeth, requiring repair or replacement.
Abnormal Wear and Tear
Wear and tear over time are typical for your teeth as you use them to consume food. However, clenching and grinding your teeth wears down tooth enamel quickly, resulting in the need for repairs or replacements. Our Bay Area TMJ dentists can conduct a visual exam to determine the extent of the wear and tear and decide the best treatment procedure. Sometimes, the wear and tear can damage your tooth enamel, resulting in cracking or breaking your teeth.
Tooth Misalignment
Habitually clenching and grinding your teeth while sleeping causes additional force that could change the position of your teeth, resulting in misalignment. When your teeth are misaligned, you could experience pain, difficulty eating, and challenges when speaking. Therefore, your neuromuscular dentist in Marin at Glen Park Dental can address your misaligned teeth issue. Through traditional orthodontic treatment and neuromuscular dentistry, your dentist can straighten and restore your bite. Tooth misalignment can also have a direct effect on your bruxism condition and potentially pose a risk of broken and severely damaged teeth.
Teeth Grinding in Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco, California
Your partner may complain about the sound of your teeth grinding at night. However, there are multiple treatments to consider in stopping the dangerous effects of bruxism. We can craft a custom-made nightguard for you to wear to protect your teeth against the damaging effects of bruxism. If you have questions about teeth grinding or you would like to schedule an appointment for an examination, feel free to contact your dentist for teeth grinding in San Francisco, Glen Park Dental, by calling (415) 585-1500 or request a consultation today!
