Have you woken up with a sore jaw and sensitive teeth? Has your loved one mentioned that you grind your teeth during the night? Accepting the fact that you grind your teeth may be difficult owing to the fact that most teeth grinding occurs during sleep. Because teeth grinding (bruxism<) is very often unconscious, many people have no clue that it is happening until a loved one or a dental professional points it out. A very serious matter, bruxism requires treatment to protect teeth and the jaw.

Here to answer your questions about bruxism is Dr. Deborha Staten.

Can teeth grinding really damage my teeth?

Yes. Bruxism subjects teeth to very powerful forces. Over time, these forces are capable of wearing a tooth down. In some cases, teeth may even chip, crack, or break, resulting in the need for a dental crown to reinforce the teeth and restore their function.

What other problems can teeth grinding cause?

Teeth are not the only victims of bruxism. Your jaw joint, the tempormandibular joint (TMJ), also receives significant stress. When under stress, the TMJ can develop a disorder with symptoms that can include earaches, facial pain, frequent headaches, migraines, jaw pain, and a locked jaw.

How is bruxism treated?

When treating bruxism, your Summerlin dentist, Dr. Staten, may prescribe a mouthguard for nighttime wear, also called a sleep guard. This oral appliance protects teeth from clenching and grinding, preventing teeth from experiencing further wear.

How are TMJ disorders treated?

Dr. Staten may also prescribe a sleep guard for a TMJ disorder that occurs as the result of bruxism. The sleep guard lessens the strain on the TMJ, allowing for a reduction in symptoms.

Treatment for Bruxism and TMJ Disorders in Summerlin

Do you grind your teeth? Is your jaw sore most mornings? The stress from teeth grinding could result in damaged teeth and a TMJ disorder.
Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Staten by calling 702-736-7979.