Teeth Grinding

Patients affected by bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, need a customized night guard from Alta Loma Dental Care. Teeth grinding can damage enamel, wear down teeth, create jaw pain, and irritate your gums. The only way to prevent teeth grinding is a customized night guard that we make to protect the top and bottom of your teeth from grinding while you sleep.

The reason people most likely grind their teeth is due to an abnormal bite, or missing or crooked teeth. Patients who experience high levels of stress and anxiety are also more prone to teeth grinding.

It is difficult for patients that grind their teeth to know they do it because they are sleeping. Patients waking up with headaches or sore jaws regularly are likely grinding their teeth. Teeth grinding is loud and can be heard by other people who are present while you asleep and should tell you.

Night guards are the only defense against teeth grinding and guards can be made at Alta Loma Dental to prevent your teeth from ruining a good night's sleep.

To learn more about night guards and the services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadental.com. To schedule an appointment at our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

Bruxism Basics

Do you ever wake up from a night’s sleep with sore teeth and jaws? You could be grinding your teeth. The medical term for occasional teeth grinding is called bruxism and although this condition does not usually cause harm, when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged and other oral health complications can arise. At Alta Loma Dental Care, we can develop an individualized treatment plan to help alleviate this condition.

Stress, anxiety, smoking, heavy alcohol, caffeine, depression and sleep disorders are all possible causes of teeth grinding. Treatment for teeth grinding depends on the cause. In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in fracturing, loosening or loss of teeth. Patients may benefit from a mouth guard or a night guard to stabilize the jaw and prevent tooth damage that is caused by grinding.

If you suspect that you’re a “bruxer”, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about services we provide at our practice, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com for more information. To schedule an appointment in our Alta Loma, CA office, call Alta Loma Dental Care at 909-987-6268.

Night Guards from Alta Loma Dental Care

At our practice in Alta Loma, CA, we see many patients who suffer from bruxism, or teeth grinding. While many people who grind their teeth do so consciously throughout the day, even more grind their teeth at night while sleeping. Bruxism can cause damage to your enamel, as well as cause jaw pain, headaches and gum irritation, so it is important to treat it. Night guards are usually the best way to prevent grinding’s negative effects.

Similar to mouth guards worn by athletes during sports, night guards provide a barrier between your top and bottom teeth when you sleep. By reducing wear to your teeth and making it harder for you to grind, your teeth will be healthier and you will feel better overall. We custom fit these night guards to make them as comfortable as possible. If you are a night grinder, we will take an impression of your teeth and have a mouth guard created in our dental lab. These guards are very durable and can last for up to 10 years.

If you find yourself frequently waking up with headaches or pain in your jaw, it is very possible that you grind in your sleep. Often those who do not treat their bruxism end up with TMD, which can lead to a change in the appearance of their faces. To diagnose and treat your night grinding, call (909) 987-6268 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Kim. For more information about Alta Loma Dental Care, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.

Treatment for TMJ Disorders at Alta Loma Dental Care

TMJ is an abbreviation for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects your mandible (lower jaw) to your skull at the temporal bone. While many call disorders associated with this joint, TMJ, those disorders are more appropriately called TMD (temporomandibular disorder), and TMD can have symptoms that range from teeth grinding and headaches to trouble chewing and pain when opening and closing your mouth. TMD is not only an annoying disorder; it is also a destructive one and can cause serious damage to your teeth if left untreated. At our office in Alta Loma, CA, Dr. Michael Kim can determine if you suffer from TMD and offer ways to treat the disorder.

The TMJ controls an assortment of jaw functions, including chewing, so if you’re chewing muscles or the joint itself is in pain, it is possible that you have TMD. TMD is often caused by stress, which leads to unconscious clenching and teeth grinding while awake and asleep. The disorder’s symptoms include pain, trouble chewing, lock jaw, headaches or ear pain and a popping or clicking sound when opening your mouth. However, these symptoms may be indicative of other health problems as well, so it is important to see a medical professional for a diagnosis.

Grinding your teeth is an especially worrisome TMD-associated behavior since it can lead to further problems with your mouth. If your teeth grinding is left unaddressed, you will cause serious wear to the enamel of your teeth and expose the dentin, which will make your teeth more sensitive to heat and cold and more susceptible to decay. However, you can work with Dr. Kim to relieve symptoms with mouth guards or night guards.

If you think that you might be suffering from TMD or teeth grinding, schedule an appointment at Alta Loma Dental Care by calling (909) 987-6268. For more information, visit www.altalomadentalcare.com.