Teeth Grinding Solutions to Minimize Wear and Save Your Bite
For many people, teeth grinding or clenching known as bruxism is an unconscious habit occurring mostly at night during sleep. While common, excessive grinding can lead to significant tooth wear, fractured fillings, sensitive teeth, and jaw discomfort over time if left untreated. Luckily, your dentist offers various solutions proven to minimize grinding damage and preserve your natural bite.
Symptoms of Bruxism
- Unexplained cracking or wearing down of tooth surfaces
- Tight or tender jaw muscles upon waking
- Tooth sensitivity to hot/cold
- Fractured or broken fillings
- Teeth don’t fit together as well
- Signs of grinding-like indentations on the tongue
Causes of Teeth Grinding
- Genetics
- Stress, anxiety, or trauma
- Sleep disorders
- Improper bite or misalignment
- Certain medications
Custom Night Guards
Made from a mold of your teeth, a night guard is specifically fitted to channel forces from grinding to reduce harm. Worn only at night, it repositions the jaw in a relaxed posture to avoid direct tooth contact saving edges from wear over years. Replacement every 3-5 years maintains maximum protection.
Daytime Bite Splint/Bite Adjustment
This removable acrylic appliance helps train muscles to stop grinding by keeping them from clenching fully during waking hours. It may be customized to gradually position the jaw for a healthier bite over weeks of daytime wear. Combined with a nightguard, it offers robust protection.
Biofeedback/BruxChecker Devices
Worn at night, these small devices detect bruxism muscle activity and alert you in the morning for awareness. Over time, you learn to identify and relax tense points allowing self-control and reduced reliance on devices long-term.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
For severe chronic bruxism, therapy addresses underlying stressors or habits triggering clenching through relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and coping strategies for permanent relief without wearable interventions.
Botox Injections
For short-term relief, Botox can relax chronic muscle clenching patterns when injected into jaw muscles post-evaluation by your doctor. Combined with a guard, it provides increased comfort during adjustment to healthier habits.
By identifying causes, your dental team tailors solutions best suited for your needs ranging from temporary to long-lasting results when customized remedies, therapy, and vigilance in home clenching control unite. Early intervention prevents extensive damage, protects investments in your dental work, and assures maximum comfort for decades of natural smiles.
Quick Links
Credit:
Image by Racool_studio on Freepik
Image by Drazen Zigic on Freepik
Image by prostooleh on Freepik
DISCOVERY DENTAL © 2024 All Rights Reserved.