TEETH GRINDING
Do you suffer from jaw pain or chipped teeth? Dr. Edward Alvarez can help
Teeth grinding, or otherwise known as Bruxism is a medical condition where you grind or clench your teeth. Teeth grinding may happen unconsciously when you're awake or or at night during sleep (sleep bruxism).
Grinding your teeth while you sleep is considered a sleep-related movement disorder. People who clench or grind their teeth (brux) during sleep are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring and pauses in breathing (sleep apnea).
In some people, tooth clenching and grinding may be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems.
Because you may have sleep bruxism and be unaware of it until complications develop, it's important to know the signs and symptoms of bruxism.
Signs of teeth grinding include:
Sore jaw
Headaches
Chipped teeth
Broken teeth
Flattened teeth
Loose Teeth
Tooth sensitivity
Receding gumline
Spacing between teeth
How can we treat tooth grinding?
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Dental Nightguard
A properly fitted and constructed hard acrylic dental nightguard will both protect the teeth from the forces of teeth clenching and teeth grinding. It will also serve to take the pressure off the muscles of your face to relieve pain.
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Biolase Epic X Diode Laser
Laser energy can be applied to your TMJ, your muscles of mastication, your neck, your face, and your head to relieve the pain associated with teeth grinding and teeth clenching.
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Botox
Botox can be administered to different muscles in your face to weaken the forces applied to your teeth during teeth clenching or teeth grinding. This serves to protect and prevent damage to your teeth.