Teeth grinding, or bruxism, often occurs unconsciously, usually during sleep. Many patients don’t know they grind their teeth until they undergo a routine dental exam. During a routine exam, a dentist can check for signs of grinding and provide the appropriate solution to help alleviate a patient’s symptoms and prevent future damage to their teeth and jaw.
At Brighter Smile Family Dentistry & Orthodontics, we offer comprehensive solutions for patients who are experiencing teeth grinding. Learn more about how to stop teeth grinding, visit our Sterling, VA dental practice for the care you need.
What Causes Tooth Grinding?
Many patients grind their teeth at some point. However, when tooth grinding occurs on a regular basis, it can begin to affect the health and function of your teeth and jaw. In order to provide the appropriate solution for teeth grinding it is vital to identify its underlying cause.
Our experienced team of dentists can perform the necessary assessments needed to determine the underlying cause of bruxism and provide a comprehensive treatment plan that is right for you.
The potential causes of teeth grinding may include:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Misaligned teeth
- Sleep apnea or other types of sleep disorders
How is Bruxism Diagnosis?
Our team can perform a comprehensive evaluation of your teeth to check for signs of bruxism. During your examination, we will look for signs such as worn teeth, flattened teeth, and misaligned teeth.
We will also discuss any physical symptoms you may have noticed, including jaw pain, earaches, or facial pain. With the results of your dental exam, we can build a targeted treatment plan that is unique to your mouth.
What Are The Signs of Teeth Grinding?
In many cases, teeth grinding occurs unconsciously, usually during the sleep cycle. For this reason, many patients don’t realize they grind their teeth until they visit their dentist.
Symptoms of teeth grinding may include:
- Earache
- Worn teeth
- Damaged teeth
- Tooth sensitivity
- Lockjaw
- Jaw pain
- Flattened teeth
- Chronic headaches, especially in the morning
- Pain or discomfort in the face or jaw
If you notice any of these signs and symptoms, visit our Sterling, VA dental office for a consultation with our team. During your visit, we can assess your smile, discuss your symptoms, and provide a solution that is right for you.
How To Treat Teeth Grinding
Treatment for bruxism varies from patient to patient. Dr. Kavianpour and our team can examine your teeth, jaw, and gums for any signs of bruxism. Depending on the extent of damage and the underlying cause of your bruxism, our team can build a comprehensive treatment plan that is designed to meet all of your needs.
Once we completed your dental exam, we offer one or more of the following treatment options for teeth grinding:
- Orthodontics
- Invisalign
- Dental crowns
- Dental splint therapy
- Custom mouthguards
- Dental bonding
Teeth Grinding FAQs
What vitamin deficiency causes teeth grinding?
Teeth grinding can be caused by being deficient in Vitamin D, as well as low levels of calcium. Patients who are suffering from stress and anxiety may be at a higher risk to grind their teeth. Magnesium supplements have been shown to relax muscles in patients’ faces and jaws which can stop them from grinding.
Does CBD help teeth grinding?
Teeth grinding is related to stress and anxiety, which can be treated with CBD. That being said there is no correlation between taking CBD supplements and teeth grinding, however, if you find yourself stressed and grinding your teeth throughout the day, taking CBD to calm your nerves may help this issue.
How can I relax my jaw to stop grinding my teeth?
If you find yourself grinding your teeth often because you cannot seem to relax your jaw, it may help to put your teeth between your tongue. This can teach your jaw to relax because you won’t want to bite down too hard on your tongue. Another way to relax your jaw is to hold a warm washcloth against your jaw or cheek before bed.
Comprehensive Care For Teeth Grinding
Are you dealing with the effects of tooth grinding or clenching? Visit your trusted team of professionals at Brighter Smile Family Dentistry & Orthodontics. Our dental care team will work to discover the underlying cause of your grinding, and create a comprehensive treatment plan.
Explore your treatment options for teeth grinding with Dr. Kavianpour! Schedule a routine dental exam at our Ashburn area dental practice. To schedule your dental exam, call 703.444.3412 or request an appointment online today.