If you grind your teeth at night or clench your teeth at night, this could result in any number of dental problems. The pressure put on the teeth and joints can be a real hassle to deal with, but there are treatments available that may be of great help to you. When you visit a trained Northern Virginia cosmetic dentist such as Dr. Martin G. Abel or Dr. Shannon E. Abel, they will assess your situation and determine the best possible treatment for your teeth grinding issue. We’d like to take a moment right now to look at what teeth grinding involves, what health issues it can pose, and how we can remedy these matters.

Also referred to as bruxism, teeth grinding involves any clenching of the jaw and friction of the teeth while a person is asleep. This is generally caused by anxiety or stress, and if it is not dealt with, major health problems may result.

One common issue that people face if they excessively grind their teeth is chipped teeth or cracked teeth. Sometimes the pressure placed on the teeth is so great that it can gradually cause damage. For damaged teeth, dental crowns, porcelain veneers, and other restorative treatments are good options for care.

The grinding and clenching usually leads to jaw pain, ear aches, and headaches in many patients. This is due to the joints and muscles being overworked and overstressed. For these issues, a bite guard is usually the answer. Bite guards are worn at night and prevent contact between the teeth, thus reducing the stress on the jaw joints and muscles of the jaw. The bite guard can also be used to help prevent tooth damage.

In some cases, the stress on the jaw can cause popping or clicking of the jaw joint and lockjaw. This is generally referred to as a TMJ disorder. A bite guard is a great option for TMJ disorders, though in some cases, other remedies must be considered. Cortisone injections into the jaw joint and other minimally invasive treatments can help some patients, though in severe cases of TMJ disorders, surgery may be the best solution.

To learn more about what we can do about teeth grinding or to find out about Northern Virginia dental fillings and other options for great dental care, contact our Rockville, Maryland cosmetic dentistry office today.