What is Bruxism?

Grinding of teeth, also known as Bruxism, occurs in children as well as adults. Grinding of teeth generally occurs during sleep.

What if my Child is Grinding His or Her Teeth?

Children often grind their teeth when their teeth are erupting. This is not uncommon, nor is it a problem if it is mild.

If you have any concerns about your child's Bruxism, be sure to have Dr. Song check for signs of excessive wear so that treatment options can be discussed

What about Bruxism in Adults?

Adults may grind their teeth at night due to:

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Malocclusion

The result of bruxism can be:

• Worn spots (attrition) that can lead to:
• Malocclusion (if the patient doesn't have already)
• Sensitivity
• Brittle teeth that require crowns
• TMJ problems
• Noise that sometimes disrupts the partner's sleep

How can Bruxism be Treated?

Sometimes, the damage caused by bruxism must be addressed first. Any malocclusion, sensitivity, brittle teeth, or TMJ problems should be discussed with Dr. Song's first to be sure those problems are resolved and that the subsequent treatment for bruxism prevents a recurrence of those problems. Further damage from bruxism can be prevented with a mouth guard that is worn during sleep. This guard is comfortable and easy for most people to wear. Contact us for an appointment to stop the damage caused by bruxism and correct any serious problems

How Do I Find Out if I Grind My Teeth?

Most people probably grind and clench their teeth from time to time. Occasional teeth grinding, medically called bruxism, does not usually cause harm, but when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged and other oral health complications can arise.

However, a dull, constant headache or sore jaw is a telltale symptom of bruxism. Many times people learn that they grind their teeth by their loved one who hears the grinding at night.

Why Is Teeth Grinding Harmful?

In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in a fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. The chronic grinding may wear their teeth down to stumps. When these events happen, bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even complete dentures may be needed.

Not only can severe grinding damage teeth and result in tooth loss, it can also affect your jaws, result in hearing loss, cause or worsen TMD/TMJ, and even change the appearance of your face.

What Can I Do to Stop Grinding My Teeth?

Your dentist can fit you with a mouthguard to protect your teeth from grinding during sleep.

Other tips to help you stop teeth grinding include:

• Avoid or cut back on foods and drinks that contain caffiene, such as colas, chocolate, and coffee.
• Avoid alcohol. Grinding tends to intensify after alcohol consumption.
• Do not chew on pencils or pens or anything that is not food. Avoid chewing gum as it allows your jaw muscles to get more used to clenching and makes you more likely to grind your teeth.
• Train yourself not to clench or grind your teeth. If you notice that you clench or grind during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This practice trains your jaw muscles to relax.
• Relax your jaw muscles at night by holding a warm washcloth against your cheek in front of your earlobe.

Do Children Grind Their Teeth?

The problem of teeth grinding is not limited to adults. Approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth. Children who grind their teeth tend to do so at two peak times -- when their baby teeth emerge and when their permanent teeth come in. Most children lose the teeth grinding habit after these two sets of teeth have come in more fully.

Most commonly, children grind their teeth during sleep rather than during waking hours. No one knows exactly why children grind their teeth but considerations include improperly aligned teeth or irregular contact between upper and lower teeth, illnesses and other medical conditions (such as nutritional deficiencies, pinworm, allergies, endocrine disorders), and psychological factors including anxiety and stress.

Grinding of the baby teeth rarely results in problems. However, teeth grinding can cause jaw pain, headaches, wear on the teeth, and TMD. Consult your dentist if your child's teeth look worn or if your child complains of tooth sensitivity or pain.

Specific tips to help a child stop grinding his or her teeth include:

• Decrease your child's stress, especially just before bed.
• Try massage and stretching exercises to relax the muscles.
• Make sure your child's diet includes plenty of water. Dehydration may be linked to teeth grinding.
• Ask your dentist to monitor your child's teeth if he or she is a grinder.

No intervention is usually required with preschool-age children. However, older children may need temporary crowns or other methods, such as a night guard, to prevent the grinding.

www.ada.org

www.webmd.com

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High strength LUMINEERS are a painless, permanent cosmetic solution for stained, chipped, discolored or misaligned teeth.  LUMINEERS are a porcelain veneer that can be made as thin as a contact lens and are placed over existing teeth without requiring removal of painful tooth structure (unlike traditional veneers).

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