Teeth grinding, or bruxism is the unconscious grinding of your teeth. Bruxism can cause severe damage without treatment. Whether you grind your teeth throughout stressful situations or if you grind your teeth while sleeping, our dentists at Columbia Family Dentist will help you break this habit.
Additionally, we offer restorative solutions to fix any damage that has already occurred to your teeth due to teeth grinding. We provide comprehensive dental care all under one roof, so you always know where to go for all of your dental care needs.
Teeth Grinding Treatment in Columbia, MD
Patients of all ages experience teeth grinding. Because of this, we offer treatment plans that are custom to each individual smile. Our treatment plan usually includes a customized night guard. A night guard protects your teeth throughout the night, so that no damage is done if you do grind your teeth at night. It also holds your jaw in a healthier resting position so that you don’t wake up with a sore jaw.
Patients with consistent jaw pain may need more advanced treatment, like TMJ treatment. TMJ treatment involves the use of orthodontics and other restorative dentistry practices to improve your bite pattern. Patients who have a TMJ disorder, or an issue with the temporomandibular joint of your jaw, usually have a history of teeth grinding. Their other symptoms may include:
- Jaw pain or soreness
- Pain around the temporomandibular joints.
- Earaches
- Difficulty chewing or speaking
- Locked-jaw
- Popping or clicking noise when chewing or speaking
Depending on the current condition of your smile as well as your known history with bruxism, our doctors will develop a customized treatment plan that is unique to your smile. Other treatment options may include:
Teeth Grinding FAQs
Can depression cause teeth grinding?
Yes, teeth grinding is a common symptom of depression or a anxious mental state. Grinding and clenching one’s teeth is most commonly attributed to anxiety, which can be set on by depression. The habit of grinding your teeth will not always be traced to depression or anxiety, but it is one of the more common causes of grinding.
Can magnesium deficiency cause teeth grinding?
Having a vitamin deficiency can cause patients to grind their teeth. If you have a magnesium deficiency and struggle with teeth grinding, taking a supplement, or adding more magnesium rich foods to your diet may help you break this habit.
Is Turmeric Good for TMJ?
Turmeric is a great thing for your overall health. It has properties that help relieve muscle tightness and spasms, and is also known to help relieve chronic pain in patients. It is also known to help patients sleep better throughout the night. The sleep improving properties in turmeric may help if you find that you grind your teeth at night.
Do worn teeth grow back?
Once grinding has worn down enamel it will not grow back. Grinding wears on teeth causing cracks and worn enamel. Enamel cannot grow back, so the grinding damage cannot be reversed.
Is grinding teeth genetic?
Teeth grinding can be associated with genetics. It is common that if one of your parents grinds their teeth, you will too.
Schedule A Dental Exam & Consultation
Teeth grinding can have detrimental impacts on your dental health. It is best to seek help with this issue right away if you notice the signs or symptoms. As your trusted dentist in Columbia, Maryland, we are here to help you manage your bruxism.
We are happy to help you with all of your general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry needs. Schedule an appointment at Columbia Family Dentist today or call our office at 410-670-8211.