82 W. Main Street Northborough, MA 01532

Teeth Grinding Northborough, MA

Because teeth grinding normally occurs during sleep, many people don’t realize they have a problem. Instead, they experience headaches, a sore jaw, or worn teeth. Dr. Robert Gauthier has advanced training in treating complex dental issues such as teeth grinding in his Northborough, MA, dental office.

Millions of people grind their teeth. Also known as bruxism, teeth grinding can lead to serious physical and oral health problems, including jaw disorders, headaches, and damaged teeth when left untreated. We treat a number of dental concerns at our Northborough, MA office. 

TMJ and teeth grinding treatment in Northborough Massachusetts

Signs of Teeth Grinding

Dr. Gauthier is a dentist focused on the treatment of TMJ disorders. Few clinicians are trained to properly identify, diagnose, and treat Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD). For more information on how we diagnose and treat TMJ disorders, visit TMJ Therapy

Dr. Gauthier studied at the Dawson Academy, one of the leading post-graduate dental training facilities, and has learned how to easily diagnose teeth grinding through a simple visual examination.

There are several common symptoms that Dr. Gauthier looks for when treating bruxism and TMJ disorders:

  • 
Worn, flat, or chipped teeth
  • Abraded tooth enamel
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Jaw pain or tightness in the jaw muscles
  • Earache
  • Headache
  • Facial pain
  • Cuts or sores on the inside cheek

Treatment for Teeth Grinding

Stress is the primary cause of teeth grinding. Lifestyle changes and relaxation techniques may help to reduce or stop your teeth from grinding. In many cases, though, professional treatment is needed to correct the source of the problem and repair damage caused by teeth grinding.

Bruxism can cause a lot of damage to your teeth, gums, and jaw. The dangers of teeth grinding are actually extensive and should be treated as soon as it is noticed. On the most extreme end, teeth grinding can cause damage to the bone structure of the jaw and even severe tooth damage or loss.

There are a number of treatment options for people affected by teeth grinding. The most important step in treatment is to stop the teeth grinding and then move on to correct any damage caused by the grinding.

  • Bite Guard – Dr. Gauthier frequently uses teeth grinding mouthguard, or bite guard, to stop teeth grinding. A bite guard is a customized, removable appliance similar to a sports mouthguard that is made to fit over your teeth and prevent teeth grinding. Most bite guards are worn at night. However, some patients may find that they wear their teeth-grinding mouthguards during high-stress situations.
  • Bite Alignment Therapy – Dr. Gauthier provides a comprehensive and broad range of services to correct the causes of teeth grinding. Malocclusion, or improper alignment of the teeth, is one cause for teeth grinding. Teeth can be corrected to proper alignment through the use of invisible braces, dental crowns, dental veneers, or dental implants.
  • Cosmetic Dentistry to Repair Damage – Once the teeth grinding causes have been successfully treated, the dentist will focus on repairing damage caused by teeth grinding. Chronic teeth grinding can leave teeth worn, chipped, or broken. Dr. Gauthier may repair teeth using dental crowns, porcelain veneers, or cosmetic bonding.

Teeth Grinding FAQs

Teeth grinding is a nighttime or subconscious habit many people possess. Learn more by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions.

What is the number one cause of teeth grinding?

Stress is the number one cause of teeth grinding. When people are stressed, anxious, or worried, they might grind or clench their teeth, often without even realizing. This can happen during the day or at night while you’re sleeping. Other causes can include sleep disorders, misaligned teeth, or certain medications, but stress is the most common reason. Managing stress and talking to your dentist about treatments, like a nightguard, can help stop teeth grinding.

Can a vitamin deficiency cause teeth grinding?

Yes, a vitamin deficiency might contribute to teeth grinding, although it may not be the main cause. Lack of certain vitamins and minerals, like magnesium and calcium, can affect muscle function and nerve health, which might lead to problems like teeth grinding. If your body doesn’t have enough of these nutrients, it could cause muscle tension or make it harder for you to relax, which could trigger grinding.

However, stress is still the most common cause. Eating a balanced diet and talking to your doctor about vitamin deficiencies can help.

When should I worry about grinding my teeth?

You’ll be able to notice signs in the morning that show you’re grinding your teeth at night. You may experience pain or sensitivity in the jaw and teeth, notice your teeth flattening and wearing down, or have cracked or broken teeth. The longer you ignore the problem, the worse the condition becomes.

Does grinding your teeth change your face?

Yes, it actually can. When you grind your teeth a lot, your teeth become shorter because the enamel erodes. It also enlarges your masseter muscle, making your jaw look more square and bulky because you’re overworking it. In extreme cases, you can even experience tooth or jawbone loss. When you lose teeth or bone, that area of your face begins to sag.

Can you reverse the damage from teeth grinding?

No, you can’t reverse the impacts on your teeth from constant grinding. However, we can use restorative techniques to correct the damage caused by teeth grinding. Treatments like dental crowns can protect your natural tooth structure from further damage and give your tooth a restored, fuller appearance.

Can teeth grinding damage nerves?

Yes. Not only does it damage the tooth enamel layer, but deeper layers of the tooth. This includes the dental nerve. When this is triggered, you may experience sharp pain and sensitivity, especially when you try to use that tooth.

Can teeth grinding cause pain all day?

Yes. Many patients that grind their teeth complain about persistant headaches that often last all day. This is in addition to any tooth or jaw pain that you experience, which can have lasting effects.

How do you treat teeth grinding?

We usually recommend oral appliance therapy. An oral appliance prevents your teeth from grinding together overnight and realigns your jaw. In addition, there are often exercises you can do to relax the jaw muscles. Changing your lifestyle and trying to bring down your stress level is beneficial, too.

Schedule an Appointment to Stop Teeth Grinding

If you or someone you love is suffering from teeth grinding, schedule a consultation with Dr. Gauthier. A simple bite analysis and consultation can reveal whether or not your teeth grinding is caused by TMJ dysfunction and you can be well on your way to much-needed relief. Contact us to schedule a dental appointment.