Are you a chronic teeth grinder? Not really sure if you are or not? It’s not surprising: of the roughly 30 million people that grind their teeth out there, very few realize that they grind. A common reason could be that teeth grinding or clenching is often done either while sleeping or subconsciously throughout the day. And while it may not seem like a big problem, at my dental office in Buckhead, we consider tooth grinding a huge issue. Here’s why.

Tooth grinding, or bruxism, can cause severe damage to your teeth and your mouth. Broken restorations and fillings, damaged teeth, lost enamel, and tooth sensitivity are only some of the problems associated with severe bruxism. Chronic tooth grinding or clenching can also lead to more serious problems like jaw dysfunction or temporomandibular disorder (TMD). This is what makes visiting your Buckhead dentist so important if you’re experiencing symptoms of being a bruxer.

Symptoms of chronic tooth grinding or clenching include:

• Contractions and/or soreness of the jaw muscles
• Pain in the jaw joint
• A grinding sound at night as described by your bedmate
• Pain in the face
• Headaches
• Damaged or broken teeth

There are also signs of grinding and clenching that are less likely for you do be aware of because they don’t cause pain and are more subtle.  These include:

• Wearing of your teeth
• Changes to the bone and gum support around your teeth
• Craze lines or cracks in your teeth
• Slight movement of your teeth when grinding

Whether you are experiencing pain and headaches or are curious if you have any other signs of grinding your teeth, call our Buckhead office for help.  At our dental office in Buckhead, we’ll complete a thorough exam, talk about what you’re experiencing, check your bite, and take x-rays of your jaw and mouth. An in-depth exam will allow us to see exactly what’s going on, determine how severe your bruxism is, and decide on the best way to treat it.

Whatever your unique needs may be, my Buckhead dental office can help diagnose your condition and determine the best treatment for you. The pain and other effects associated with tooth grinding doesn’t need to be chronic. Give us a call today. It’s the first step to a better, pain-free smile.