This blog will detail everything about teeth grinding.
Causes Of Teeth Grinding
Physiological conditions show up in the body in different ways. Teeth grinding is often linked to underlying psychological conditions such as stress and anxiety. Studies have shown that Bruxism is more common among adults that have reported working in stressful work environments. Those who have an abnormal bite tend to experience more teeth grinding. If you already suffer from sleep disorders, then chances are you may also experience teeth grinding from time to time.
While Bruxism may be linked to sleep disorders, the two don’t necessarily have a cause-and-effect relationship. In fact, both sleep disorders and Bruxism are brought on by underlying psychological conditions such as trauma, stress and anxiety. Once could say that mental health plays an important role in all aspects of our health, even oral health.
What Are TMJ Disorders?
TMJ disorders refer to a group of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jawbone to the skull. These disorders can cause pain and discomfort in the face, jaw, neck, and other areas. TMJ disorders often lead to trouble breathing and in extreme cases, even speaking. About 10 million Americans have been diagnosed with TMJ disorders. This shows just how prevalent these disorders are among the general population and affect their day-to-life.
One of the main symptoms of TMJ disorders is a clicking and popping sound when you open and close your mouth. Other common symptoms are jaw pain induced by prolonged clenching, and teeth grinding. There are many jaw injuries associated with teeth grinding, such as arthritis and misalignment of the jaw.
TMJ disorders require a great deal of self-care. By eating soft food, you can minimize jaw movements to prevent further damage. Applying heated packs can also ease the pain associated with jaw injuries. Dental treatments such as physical therapy, and teeth medications are recommended.
Consulting with a dental service will allow you to find an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment so that the effects of TMJ disorders do not worsen over time.
What Happens When Teeth Grinding and TMJ Disorders Are Left Untreated?
There are many ways Bruxism can affect your health, oral and overall. There are many ways dentists can determine if a patient is experiencing severe Bruxism. If there is more than 2mm loss of enamel, then dentists consider this a severe form of Bruxism or TMJ disorders. After evaluating this enamel damage, your dentist will work with you to understand the causes of behind it and work out a plan that’s tailored to your needs.
Tooth Damage
Continuously grinding your teeth and a constant clenching of your jaw can cause chipping of the teeth, cracks, and even tooth displacement. Patients who grind their teeth in their sleep, complain about teeth sensitivity and experience pain in their gums.
Jaw Dysfunctions
Bruxism is often linked to TMJ disorders. The disorders put immense strain on the jaw, the face, and the forehead.
Frequent Headaches
When Bruxism is left unchecked, patients can experience severe and frequent headaches, as well as tension in the temples, and jaw. Studies have shown that patients who experience sleep Bruxism have a 74.6% likelihood of developing chronic migraines., which can affect their day-to-day life.
Sleep Problems
Teeth grinding is associated with many sleep disorders such as Insomnia. Studies conducted in 2001. 2007 and 2020, all show that there is a link between patients experiencing symptoms of Bruxism and Insomnia. Patients affected by Bruxismare unable to unclench their jaw while they sleep. This condition does result in jaw dysregulation and difficulty falling asleep.
Gum Recession
Bruxism is one of the main causes of gum recession and tooth sensitivity. The strain placed on teeth can speed up tooth decay and the effects gums leading to other types of dental disorders.
What Is Restorative Dentistry?
Diagnostic Restorative Dentistry
One of the branches of dentistry is restorative dentistry. This area of study is closely associated with the diagnosis and prevention of gum diseases and dental conditions. With restoration dental procedures, dentists help restore damaged teeth. In the case of missing teeth provide tooth replacements.
The goal of restorative dentistry is to provide the patient with functional teeth and improve the appearance of teeth and gums that may have sustained damage over time due to dental trauma, injury from teeth grinding, and other TMJ disorders.
Cosmetic Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry procedures provide a wide variety of dental treatments that can treat tooth decay, gum disease, and more. This branch of dentistry also provides a variety of cosmetic dental services such as whitening of teeth, dental veneers, and bonding. While the procedures help provide patients with a way to improve their appearance the treatment is often focused on addressing underlying issues.
How Can Restorative Dentistry Help Those With TMJ Disorders And Teeth Grinding?
There are many ways that restorative dentistry can help those with TMJ disorders and teeth grinding. These dental treatments provide repair and restoration of tooth decay and jaw misalignment. These dental treatments can help restore the original appearance and functionality of your teeth and jaw.
While in most cases custom oral appliances such as bite guards or splints help repair the jaw and reduce strain on the teeth. In case of prolonged damage sustained, orthodontic dental treatments can also be deployed when there are severe misalignments and abnormalities in jaw function.
Restorative dentistry focuses on providing patients with different options to overcome dental damage. This includes dental fillings, dental crowns, and dental restoration for chips and cracks seen on worn-out teeth. A common preventative measure is wearing a mouthguard on your teeth to protect them from grinding when you sleep.
With restorative dentistry treatment for teeth grinding and TMJ disorders, you cannot only identify the underlying causes of different dental issues but prevent them, and find ways to address these and improve your overall appearance.
What Are Some Of The Restorative Dentistry Treatments Available For These Ailments?
Custom Oral Appliance
By using custom oral appliances such as mouthguards, or splints, you can reduce the strain of jaw clenching and teeth grinding. This will prevent your teeth from chipping or moving in your sleep.
Another way that oral appliances can heal your jaw alignment and improve your overall sleep. Custom appliances are made to fit the patient’s mouth perfectly so they are great for wearing day and night. They are great for wearing in your sleep and during the day because they are transparent and do not affect your appearance in any way.
Dental Fillings
A popular dental restoration treatment is dental filling. Getting dental fillings is a common fix for tooth decay and teeth grinding. In case of tooth decay and teeth grinding, there is a possibility of losing the entire tooth or parts of it. Dental fillings help recover that part by using composite resin or porcelain to fill in the gaps giving you the perfect smile.
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are also used to restore damaged teeth. Whether you are experiencing tooth decay or teeth grinding, these tooth-shaped caps will give you the perfect smile by adding metal and porcelain to the damaged areas.
Dental Bridges
When you’re missing one or more teeth, dental bridges help you fill-up the areas. A dental bridge is attached to the adjacent teeth using a dental crown or other restoration treatments. This will help improve the appearance of your teeth and remedy any damage sustained from dental problems.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are restoration dental treatments that are more permanent than others. The implant is surgically added to the jaw bone to merge it with the crown, leading to dental restoration. These dental crowns have a more stable base than other dental treatments.
Dentures
Dentures are a type of restorative dental treatment that can be removed easily. Dentures are used to replace missing teeth and can be made from acrylics, porcelain, and other materials. These are mainly cosmetic and help patients who have lost their teeth due to injury or decay.
Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatments are often used by dentists when there is a specific dental issue. Braces and aligners are used to correct misalignment in teeth and fix an abnormal bite. While both these conditions result from teeth grinding and TMJ disorders, many don’t experience dental disorders and still need orthodontic treatments for their teeth.
To get any dental treatment, it is best to consult with the best dentist you can find. A professional can help diagnose your issues and suggest the right treatments.
How To Tell When It Is Time To Seek Professional Restorative Dental Treatment?
How do you tell if your teeth need restorative dental treatment? By consulting a dentist, you can diagnose the specific dental issue that you are facing. A professional will help you find the right treatment for your condition. Here are some telltale signs of dental damage to look out for.
Tooth Pain
The first sign is quite obvious and will almost always compel you to consult a dentist. This is called tooth pain. Experiencing pain in the teeth and gums is your body’s way of telling you that there is something wrong. By consulting a professional, you can find out if you need fillings or restoration for your teeth.
Cracks and Chipping
In case of broken teeth or chipping, you must consult a professional. Restorative dental treatments can help you fix any damage your teeth may have sustained and gives them a new and improved look.
Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can hurt your smile and even affect your self-confidence. The good thing is restorative dental surgery can help you improve the appearance of your smile. With dental implants, and brushes denture you can’t rectify any missing spots.
Gum Diseases
Strained teeth and jaw disorders often lead to more dental complications such as gum disease and inflammation. With restorative treatments, you can prevent teeth grinding from causing long-term damage to your teeth and gums.
Discoloration Of Teeth
The older you get the more you are prone to teeth discoloration and staining. Diet can also play an important role in this. With the help of restorative dental treatments such as teeth whitening, you can improve the appearance of your teeth.
How to Get Your Smile Back With Restorative Dental Treatments
Park Avenue Dental is one of the leading dental clinics in Gainesville, Florida. The dental clinic has served countless patients diligently since 1978. You can find top-of-the-line services and consultations with our team of experts. Under the guidance of a licensed professional, you can take control of your oral health. We provide a wide variety of restorative dental services such as dentures, dental crowns, and root canal prevention among others
The dentists at Park Avenue Dental also specialize in TMJ Treatments, Cosmetic Dentistry and Family Dentistry. With a well-rounded approach, patients can find the best attention and care required to overcome these complex dental issues.
Take the first step in your dental restoration journey. Call now to schedule an appointment with the best dentist in Gainesville, Florida.
