Bruxism Treatment in Westminster, MD
Teeth grinding or bruxism can have detrimental effects on your teeth, gums, and jaw. This additional strain can cause a variety of symptoms including headaches, jaw pain, or tooth damage. If you suspect you’ve been grinding your teeth, you should mention this at your next dental appointment.
Dr. Bowersox evaluates all of his patients for signs of teeth grinding during their standard dental exams. We offer our teeth grinding patients treatment through customized night guards. You will wear customized night guards over your teeth while you sleep to prevent tooth damage from unconscious tooth grinding.
Bruxism FAQs
Here are some common questions we get regarding our bruxism treatment options.
Why do I grind my teeth?
The cause of teeth grinding varies from person to person. Teeth grinding is a common response to stress. Many of us hold a lot of our stress in our facial muscles and jaw bone. Throughout the day, you may notice yourself stiffening your jaw as you work on a demanding task.
If you go to sleep stressed, it is more likely that you will have a similar response and grind your teeth in your sleep as well. Some people may grind their teeth together because they are missing a tooth or have a misaligned bite. Dr. Bowersox can evaluate you at your next dental appointment to determine the underlying cause of your teeth grinding.
Is a night guard comfortable?
Yes, we create our customized night guards with your comfort in mind. We know the importance of a good night’s rest. Our night guards are made from a soft material that fits snuggly over your teeth surface. While it may take some getting used to as you adapt to using it every night, most of our patients find that it is an ideal and cost-effective solution to preventing future tooth damage.
What about my jaw pain?
A lot of our patients who experience teeth grinding also experience jaw pain. The additional strain that teeth grinding applies to your teeth, gums, and jaw can develop into a TMJ disorder, or an issue with the temporomandibular joint of your jaw. If you experience jaw pain, Dr. Bowersox can provide TMJ treatment solutions if necessary.
How long does it take to cure bruxism?
It can take anywhere from 1-5 months for bruxism to go away. This varies based on how severe the bruxism is. Severe bruxism has been associated with difficulty swallowing, speaking, and chewing.
Can a dentist near me cure bruxism?
Bruxism treatment reduces the frequency of tooth grinding. Tooth grinding treatment helps relieve bruxism symptoms and stop more damage from occurring.