Teeth Grinding/TMJ Treatment
Teeth grinding is a painful habit that can damage your teeth, and the problem is you may not even realize you are doing it!
Occasional grinding, or bruxism, is typical; chronic grinding – especially while you sleep – is not. Headaches, a sore jaw, or ear pain are all telltale signs that you are grinding your teeth unconsciously while you sleep.
At Cornerstone Dental, we see the damage that the constant force of grinding and clenching can have on your teeth and jaw joint. Fortunately, we can usually solve the problem with a simple oral device that you wear while you sleep.
Why You Grind Your Teeth
There isn’t one particular reason why people grind their teeth. According to The Bruxism Association, anxiety, stress, smoking, and heavy alcohol or caffeine use all contribute to the problem. One common culprit is an unbalanced dental bite that causes you to bite down with more force on one side than the other.
TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) involves improper functioning of the jaw joint and can also cause grinding. However, TMJ can be challenging to diagnose, so it’s best to visit our office for an evaluation.
We Offer a Simple Solution for Teeth Grinding
Chronic grinding causes pain and discomfort, but it also takes a toll on healthy teeth. Without treatment, grinding can lead to fracturing, looseness, or loss of teeth.
Teeth grinding causes a lot of damage, but there is a way to combat the problem. At Cornerstone Dental, Missoula dentists Dr. Rogers, Dr. Fisher, and Dr. Carr offer a simple oral appliance that you wear while you sleep. The device may be referred to as a bite splint, occlusal guard, or night guard.
The first step is an exam with one of our dentists, where she will talk to you about your symptoms and how we can help. If you are a good candidate, we will take impressions of your teeth to create a device that looks like a mouth guard.
The guard prevents your upper and lower teeth from coming into contact with each other. It prevents damage and gives your jaw joint a chance to rest. Since the device eliminates the stress on your jaw, it offers rapid relief from the painful symptoms of TMJ and grinding. Many of our patients have found the comfort they need by using our customized night guard!
Please Call for a Consultation
If you have symptoms that you believe are related to teeth grinding, please call our Missoula dental office to arrange a consultation. We understand your discomfort and how it can negatively impact you.
You do not have to allow the pain that results from teeth grinding and TMJ to control your life. our dentists will work with you until we find the solution that eliminates your pain and lets you reclaim your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your teeth are chipped, cracked, or worn and you can’t remember doing anything to cause it, you most likely are grinding your teeth while you sleep.
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is an uncomfortable habit that puts excessive force on your jaw joint and your teeth. Grinding your teeth occasionally due to stress or tension is not uncommon. But most of the damage to your teeth is done unconsciously while you sleep. You may also experience headaches, neck and shoulder pain, or pain in your jaw joint (temporomandibular joint, or TMJ).
We highly recommend a night guard for our patients who grind their teeth. The device looks like a mouth guard and is customized just for you. It eliminates grinding because your upper and lower jaw cannot come into contact with each other. The night guard protects your teeth from damage and relieves the pressure on your jaw, allowing it to rest.
Teeth grinding can also be caused by a misaligned bite, which can be corrected by simply reshaping the teeth that are preventing you from biting down normally. Dr. Rogers, Dr. Fisher or Dr. Carr will perform an exam and ask the appropriate questions to help determine the cause of your pain and plan the appropriate treatment.
If you are waking up with headaches or pain in your jaw, you may benefit from a night guard at Cornerstone Dental. Please call us so we can help you get the relief you need!
Meet Our Doctors:
Dr. Lindsay Rogers DDS
Missoula dentist Dr. Lindsay Rogers grew up in rural North Dakota on her family's farm. She earned her degree in zoology from North Dakota State ...
Dr. Whitney Fisher DMD
Dr. Whitney Fisher grew up in Butte, Montana. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Montana Tech, and then went ...
Dr. Margaree Carr DMD
Dr. Margaree Carr grew up outside Chicago, IL and made the move to Montana after several years in St. Louis, MO. ...