The problem with bruxism or chronic teeth grinding is that it can cause dental and oral health complications. In some cases, it can result in loss, loosening, fracture, or wearing out of the teeth. When this happens, you may need dental attention like dentures, crowns or bridges, depending on the extent of damage caused by the grinding.

TMD

One of the possible complications that could result from chronic teeth grinding is TMD, which is short for temporomandibular joint disorder. This is the disorder which affects the joint and muscles that connect the jaw to the temporal bones of the skull. This joint plays an important role in your mouth. It allows one to chew, talk, yawn and practically any movement that involves the teeth and the mouth. Aside from teeth grinding, TMD can also be due to arthritis, stress in the facial and jaw muscles and whiplash.

Teeth grinding is a bad habit that’s hard to break, mainly because one usually does not have control over it, such as when it is caused by a sleep disorder. People are often unaware that they grind their teeth regularly, especially when they are anxious or under a lot of stress. With this, it is important that you seek the help of a medical professional. A dentist can help evaluate your teeth and your overall oral health to determine the extent of the damage caused by bruxism. This is necessary for the proper dental action that would have to be taken.

Dental Solutions for Grinding, Bruxism and TMD

Treating grinding, bruxism and TMD is not as simple as “stopping.” These habits are uncontrollable. And oftentimes, people are not aware that they are already grinding their teeth. The good news is that there are dental solutions for these problems.

Here are East Valley Dental Professionals, Dr. Collins will get you the right solution to your problem. If you grind your teeth at night, you may be required to wear night guards. Depending on the results of your dental assessment, our professionals may also require you to use occlusal bite guards, bite plates and other bruxism. These are all designed to protect the teeth as well as the temporomandibular joint from getting damaged when you grind your teeth. They are usually worn at bedtime since bruxism often happens when people are unaware of such habit, like when they are asleep. Set a dental appointment with us today and say goodbye to teeth grinding.

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What to expect?

Your dental check-up will consist of pretty much the same processes every appointment.  Your dental team will visually check your teeth and gums to make sure that everything looks healthy.  Depending on your preference and if there are any issues present, your dentist make take X-rays of your teeth.  Your dentist or dental hygienist will then carefully remove any existing tartar and plaque from your individual teeth.  Many dentists use an ultrasonic instrument to remove larger pieces of plaque and then a manual scaler to get rid of the smaller, harder to reach pieces. The ultrasonic instrument uses vibration to remove tartar and plaque and is usually more comfortable for the patient than its manual counterpart.  Ultrasonic instruments are most effective at removing medium to large tartar and plaque that may form in gum pockets or difficult to reach areas.  The manual scaler may also be used to get to smaller pieces of buildup.  It will sound like it is scraping against your teeth but this is a good thing when in the hands of a professional.  Using both tools is the best way to remove the tartar and keep your teeth smooth and healthy.

After all the tartar and plaque has been removed, your dental professionals will polish the teeth.  The clean and smooth surfaces of your teeth will make it more difficult for bacteria to adhere to your teeth.  You will also receive a professional flossing of your teeth.  Your dentist and hygienist have perfected their flossing technique and will make sure that there are no bacteria or plaque buildups between your teeth.  After your teeth have been cleaned, polished and flossed you will also receive a fluoride treatment to help strengthen your teeth.

During the entire check-up, your dental team will be keeping an eye out for any issues such as cavities, cracked crowns, gum disease, etc.  Another important part of your check-up will come in the form of education.  Your dentist can tell a lot about your oral hygiene habits just by looking at your teeth and gums.  There may be certain areas that you miss or perhaps you don’t floss regularly.  Your dental team will take the time to go over trouble areas so that you can address them before they become a problem.

Why Regular Treatments Are Important?

Regular checkups should be every six months.  This gives your dental team the opportunity to professionally exam and clean your teeth and take care of any issues before they become more serious.  For instance, a simple cavity can be addressed during your regular visit.  But if you miss your visit and wait until the cavity becomes painful before going to the dentist, the cavity could grow potentially requiring a root canal and crown.  This is a small problem that has the potential to become a big problem if left unchecked.  Regular visits are also important so that your dental professionals can monitor any changes or indicators of serious problems such as oral cancer or habitual teeth grinding that can cause significant damage.

If you are motivated by budgetary concerns, also keep in mind that regular cleanings are much more affordable than extensive treatments for crowns, root canals, etc.  Insurance coverage generally covers regular cleanings at a much higher rate than additional dental work.

Your six-month routine dental cleaning and check-up should be a recurring calendar appointment.  It can save you time, money and stress in the long run.  We will make your visit as painless as possible and work with you to keep your teeth healthy and happy.

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