Teeth Grinding Dentist in Brimfield, IL
Don’t let bruxism permanently damage your teeth
What happens when you grind your teeth?
Enamel wears away
Cavities develop
TMJ and jaw pain become common
Gum recession develops
Teeth may chip or fracture
Should I see a dentist for teeth grinding?
However, many people don’t even realize they’re grinding their teeth until someone tells them or they begin to notice the side effects. So keep an eye on these signs of teeth grinding:
- Waking up with a headache or jaw pain
- A tense or stiff jaw or neck
- TMJ (popping, clicking jaw)
- Toothaches
- Tooth sensitivity
- Increased wear on your teeth (look for visible ridges or chipping)
- Teeth that appear shorter than they used to
How do you stop teeth grinding?
- Talk to your dentist
- Treat any sleep breathing disorders
- Massage for your jaw muscles, especially right before bed
- Try meditation, yoga, or counseling to limit stress and relax
- Become more conscious of your day-time clenching, relax your jaw muscles whenever you notice it
- Stop chewing everything but food (no gum, mints, ice, etc.)
Hear from our patients
The atmosphere in the office is warm and welcoming. The doctor and staff genuinely care about you as an individual as well as the health of your teeth and gums.
– Ruth L.
Good To Know
During your twice-a-year exams, our dentists will look for signs of bruxism. Since many people don’t know they grind their teeth at night, this is just one more reason why keeping up on these routine visits is so important!
Professional treatments for bruxism
After ruling out sleep breathing issues, most cases of bruxism can be greatly helped with a custom-made night guard. However, depending on how much damage your tooth grinding has caused, we may also need to do some repairs. This might include:
- Fillings
- Crowns
- Gum recession treatment
- Bonding
Hours
Monday: 7am–3pm
Tuesday: 7am–3pm
Wednesday: 7am–3pm
Thursday: 8:30am–3pm
Friday: 7am–3pm
Now Welcoming New Patients
Come and see us — we can’t wait to get to know you!