TMJ - Clenching
Are your teeth chipping and irregular on the edges like this?
DO YOU CLENCH DAILY,... OR GRIND YOUR TEETH NIGHTLY?
You may answer "no" to both questions, BUT... In fact, all primates grind their teeth to some degree. Many people are just not aware of this habit. You can be sure that if someone is putting their teeth and jaws through that kind of excess work, usually the signs are obvious. (see below)
In our office, we use tiny (about the size of an ink pen) cameras to show you your teeth on a TV screen and we can help you understand this problem before you have too much damage.
You might actually clench more than you grind, but in either case, it is an activity that can result in damage to the teeth gums and jaw joint.
Although teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism) may happen at any time (when reading, driving or working on the computer) people often grind their teeth in their sleep. You may not even know you're doing it. The causes are not clear. Stress is one possible cause, but often the reason for the habit is not known.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY TEETH GRINDING:
- Cracked teeth
- routine head or neck aches
- joint popping and clicking
- broken fillings
- Chipped enamel
- Broken porcelain on old crowns
- Flattened, grooved, worn down teeth
- Loosened teeth
- "pot holes" on the tops of molars
If something isn't done to stop the damage, bruxism may lead to jaw muscle or joint problems and even loss of your teeth.
POSSIBLE TREATMENTS
We can help you decide how best to treat your teeth grinding problem. The most common treatments are listed below...
A "Night Guard" is a thin plastic "tray" that fits precisely over your teeth. The custom night guard that we make our patients is very thin and almost invisible. It is worn at the times when you are most likely to clench or grind your teeth. Because many people need to wear one at night, this tooth wear protection is sometimes called a "night guard".
We have been making a very unique kind of "Night Guard", called a Dawson Splint, since 1998. This involves a highly dedicated process of positioning your lower teeth on the splint so that your upper and lower teeth relate in the kindest possible position for you joints. The design of this splint is not anything like a typical mouth guard or splint taught to dentists in dental school. The design was developed by a Dentist named Dr. Peter Dawson, who is now thought of as the "Guru" of jaw joint health. Any dentist who wants to take a continuing education course taught by this fellow has to wait 3 years for an opening in the classes.
Fortunately, we took a long series of his courses in 1998 and 1999, before he was "discovered". We've been making people his splints with 95% success ever since.
***Don't be tempted to "treat yourself" by using a soft sports mouth guard. or something bought in the pharmacy. This can have disastrous consequences because this soft plastic deforms after several weeks of nightly use. The teeth will move and eventually when you close your teeth together they won't hit normally. Obviously, this would make things far worse.
Taking good care will prolong the life of your mouth guard. Rinse the guard before wearing it and after removing it from your mouth. Brush it gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste or liquid soap after removing it. Soak the guard in denture cleaner every so often to help keep it fresh. Be sure to check your guard for signs of wear. Show it to your dentist at each checkup. Mouth guards may wear down and need to be repaired or replaced.