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.
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). 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 wear they wear their teeth grinding mouthguard 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.
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.