Don't live with constant teeth grinding that could ruin your beautiful smile. Instead, reach out and ask Total Care Dental for our bruxism treatment and prevention options. Our specialists will come up with a solution to prevent any further damage and save your precious smile!
Bruxism is a condition involving involuntary teeth grinding (bruxing) and jaw clenching. Persistent bruxism wears down teeth and can cause them to crack, chip and break over time. Repetitive grinding can cause gum recession and jaw disorders like TMJ. Total Care Dental of Madison offers effective dental health care services to prevent and treat bruxism. Our comprehensive dentists are specialists in spotting the early warning signs of teeth grinding.
During bruxing, the facial muscles around the jaw and sides of the skull work very hard. This overuse can cause tenderness, muscle spasms and painful headaches. Ground teeth are more likely to crack and fall out. Initial signs of bruxism can be hard to notice so you may be unaware of your condition. Regular dental visits will allow our dentists to keep track of signs of grinding and make an accurate diagnosis. Once diagnosed, bruxism treatment can begin. Earlier treatment leads to better recovery and healthier teeth.
Some people do not realize they clench their teeth at night until someone tells them. If you notice any of the following symptoms, schedule an appointment with our dentists right away.
Most people are unaware they grind their teeth because most clenching and grinding occur during sleep. You might wake up with a sore jaw and not know the cause. Regular visits with our Madison dentists allow us to spot changes in your teeth caused by nocturnal teeth grinding. Bruxism is considered a sleep disorder since the symptoms can lead to restless nights and insomnia. Treatment will protect your teeth and improve your ability to sleep!
The causes of bruxism are difficult to determine, but there are many suspected causes. Having a family history of bruxism may increase your chances of developing this condition. Additional causes may include the following:
Many dentists fail to diagnose and treat bruxism because the process of grinding down teeth takes place over many years. At Total Care Dental, we use dental X-rays and 3D imaging for accurate diagnosis. Digital images allow our dentists to track the changes in your teeth caused by grinding.
The key to preventing major problems is treatment when the first signs occur. Prepare for your dental appointment by listing symptoms and possible causes, and gather relevant medical records.
Some questions about bruxism you may want to ask your dentist include:
The treatment you receive will depend on the cause and type of bruxism you have. If you grind due to misaligned teeth, Invisalign clear braces may correct the problem. If you have sleep bruxism, you may need a night mouth guard.
While our treatment options will protect your teeth and jaw, bruxism can be a side effect of other health conditions. After receiving a bruxism diagnosis, check with your primary care physician to see if you have any related disorders. Sleep apnea can lead to night bruxism while ADHD can cause awake bruxism.
Teeth grinding can cause damage to dental crowns and veneers. Getting treated early will prevent many of these issues. If your teeth are damaged from grinding, restorative dentistry will repair them.
Before your appointment with Total Care Dental, see if you can relieve your symptoms at home. This can make it easier to determine the cause of your teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Here are some self-care tips for preventing and coping with bruxism:
If diagnosed at an early stage, our dentists will recommend a fitted occlusal guard for you to wear at night to relax the jaw muscles and prevent teeth from wearing down. High-performance mouth guards will help reduce grinding during the day. When significant wear occurs, we may recommend building your teeth back to their original size for proper functioning.
Total Care Dental accepts most dental insurance providers and has many payment plan options. We want all of our patients to be able to afford the care they need. We even accept cash as payment! Learn more about our dental financing today or call our offices for more information on low cost bruxism treatment.
You don't have to live with ground down teeth. Keep your teeth healthy by getting treatment.
Schedule a consultation with our dentists to learn about bruxism treatment or dental tooth replacement options for damaged teeth.
Our team of compassionate and knowledgeable professionals create a warm, inviting atmosphere, ensuring patients of all ages feel welcome. At TCD, we treat every patient like a member of our family.
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