Do you wake up with a sore or clenched jaw? If so, you may be grinding your teeth while you sleep. Fortunately, there are treatment options that your dentist can recommend to help stop teeth grinding and protect your teeth.

When to Seek Treatment

If you are experiencing any of the following conditions, you may be a candidate for treatment:

• Gum Recession – Bruxism is a leading cause of gum recession and tooth loss. Grinding teeth can damage the soft tissue directly and lead to loose teeth and deep pockets where bacteria are able to colonize and decay the supporting bone.

• Facial Pain – Grinding can eventually shorten and blunt the teeth. This can lead to muscle pain in the myofascial region and, in severe cases, incapacitating headaches.

• Occlusal Trauma – The abnormal wear patterns on the occlusal (chewing) surfaces of the teeth can lead to fractures, which if left untreated, may require restorative treatment at a later time.

• Arthritis – In the most severe cases, bruxism can eventually lead to painful arthritis in the temporomandibular (TMJ) joints that allow the jaw to open and close smoothly.

Treatment Options

There are few suitable solutions your dentist may recommend for grinding, including:

• Mouthguard – An acrylic mouthguard can be designed from teeth impressions to minimize the abrasive grinding action during normal sleep. Mouthguards are expected to be worn on a long-term basis to help prevent tooth damage.

• NTI-tss Device – This device only covers the front teeth and must be fitted at our office. The idea behind the NTI-tss is to prevent grinding the rear molars by limiting the contraction of the temporalis muscle in the jaw.

With advancements in dentistry, it is easier than to find the best solution to protect your oral health. To find out if treatment for teeth grinding is right for you, contact your dentist in Newport Beach CA to schedule your consultation today.