Teeth Grinding and TMJ Treatment

It is important not to settle for a simple athletic guard in place of a nightguard, as these are not designed for the same purpose. An athletic guard may shift while you’re sleeping; a nightguard will not. In fact, some night guards will encourage you to keep your jaw relaxed while you sleep; these are referred to as anterior deprogrammers or NTI devices. Athletic guards cannot perform this function, and should not be substituted for your nightguard. The upper front teeth overlap the lower teeth excessively in the vertical dimension. In severe cases, the lower front teeth may bite into the roof of the mouth.

In most cases, you will be asked to wear a nightguard if you suffer from nighttime teeth grinding. This allows your teeth to be protected from the unusual clenching force of your jaw that occurs while you are unaware. It also helps to prevent you from developing TMJ/TMD. In some patients, wearing a nighttime mouth guard over the teeth can help to relieve discomfort from chronic tension headaches, facial/jaw pain, and tooth soreness. An underbite is characterized by the lower jaw extending out, causing the lower front teeth to sit in front of the upper front teeth.

Bruxism is the medical term for grinding or clenching your teeth and jaws. Grinding refers to moving the jaw back and forth. Clenching refers to biting down with excessive force for long periods of time. Bruxism is a common condition and normally occurs during sleep or times of stress. Many people do not even know that they grind their teeth in their sleep until they are told by their sleep partner or dentist.

Over time, grinding teeth in sleep causes extensive damage to the structure and enamel of the teeth, which can lead to decay and increased sensitivity. It can also cause headaches, disrupt your sleep, and cause pain in the jaw, face, and neck.

Factors that may increase your chances of developing bruxism include:

• Age: Bruxism is most common in young children.
• Personality Type: Individuals who are naturally competitive, aggressive, or hyperactive are more likely to experience bruxism.
• Intense Emotions: Many people unconsciously grind their teeth when under intense stress or when they feel angry or frustrated.
• Certain Medications and Substances: Tobacco use, drinking caffeine or alcohol, and certain psychiatric medications can increase your risk of bruxism.
• Other Health Conditions: Bruxism is often associated with other conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, sleep apnea, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Crowding occurs when teeth have insufficient room to erupt. Crowding can often be corrected with orthodontist, and many times, tooth removal can be avoided.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome refers to problems affecting the function of the muscles of the jaw or the temporomandibular joint that connects the jaw to the skull. Injuries to the jaw and bruxism are common causes of temporomandibular joint syndrome. Symptoms include:

• Pain or tenderness in the face, jaw, neck, shoulders, or around the ear
• Difficulty chewing or opening the mouth wide
• A popping or clicking sound when you open or close your mouth
• A jaw that seems to get stuck or locked in a position
• Swelling on the side of the face
• A sudden uncomfortable bite

Although a night guard is not the only treatment for bruxism or temporomandibular joint pain, it is an affordable, convenient, and non-invasive treatment option. A properly fitted night guard shifts the jaw and teeth into proper alignment, which can alleviate jaw tension, headaches, pain, and other symptoms of temporomandibular joint syndrome.

This type of problem is caused when the bite in the back differs from the left to the right, which may negatively impact the jaw and proper dental function.

Nightguards can protect the teeth from significant damage, and may be a recommended treatment for bruxism. However, those who grind or clench the teeth at night should be screened for sleep apnea before being fitted for a nightguard. Some experts actually recommend a sleep study for every bruxism patient, while others believe that a screening test is sufficient (though it should be followed by a sleep study if the screening test shows possible sleep apnea). If the patient turns out to have sleep apnea, then treatment of this disorder should take priority. If the patient doesn’t have sleep apnea, then a night guard will most likely be the best treatment for the patient’s bruxism.

The problem with using a nightguard is that it only addresses the symptoms – the damage to the teeth that bruxism can cause. However, a nightguard doesn’t get to the root cause of grinding the teeth. A person wearing a nightguard will usually continue to grind and clench the teeth.

There are many potential causes of teeth grinding. Very commonly, the cause is stress, and in many cases, a specific cause is never found. However, there are also many cases in which grinding the teeth at night is actually a symptom of a life-threatening illness – sleep apnea. Prescribing a nightguard to a person with sleep apnea will stop the teeth from becoming damaged, but will not address the much more serious issue of keeping the person breathing at night.

The process for getting a teeth protector for sleeping is simple and painless. Dr. Corpodian takes a digital impression of your teeth. The impression is used to create the mold that the lab will use to fabricate your nightguard out of durable plastic. Once finished, Dr. Corpodian will check the guard to ensure that it fits properly. Then all you have to do is wear the guard as you sleep. It may feel a little odd at first, but most of patients get used to wearing their nightguard quite quickly. The guard will not interfere with your breathing, and you will still be able to speak normally. Most people who complain about their mouth guard being uncomfortable are either wearing an over-the-counter device or one that was not fitted properly.

It’s not uncommon for it to take a few weeks (or even a month or more) for folks to adjust to wearing a night guard at night. If it feels uncomfortable or distracting in the beginning, know that this is normal and you’re likely to adjust to it over time. If you’ve been using your night guard for several weeks and you still feel that it’s interfering with your ability to get a good night’s sleep, then it’s time to talk to your dentist about different strategies or other treatment options.

One trick that may help you adjust to wearing your night guard more quickly is to practice putting it in for short periods of time during the day. Wearing the night guard for short intervals as you go about your daily routine can help you ease into using it for entire nights at a time.

If your nightguard keeps falling out it may be time for a new one. Once you have received your new device, there are a number of things you can do to help your night guard last as long as possible:

• Wear your guard only after you’ve brushed and flossed your teeth
• Try to avoid chewing on your mouth guard, as this can cause it’s shape to become distorted
• Wash your nightguard with cool water and soap after each use
• Soak your mouth guard in a mouthwash before you store it for the day
• Store your mouth guard in a ventilated plastic container specifically designed for this purpose
• Do not bend your nightguard, and never leave it in a hot vehicle or direct sunlight
• Never try to adjust the fit of your nightguard yourself

Bring Your Nightguard to Your Orthodontic Appointments:

Bringing your nightguard to your regular orthodontic appointments provides Dr. Corpodian with an opportunity to make sure your night guard is still in working order. They’ll inspect it for signs of wear and tear and can double-check that the nightguard is continuing to fit well in your mouth.

While it might feel uncomfortable at first to sleep with a nightguard, it’s important to give it a chance. Wearing a nightguard can protect your oral health for years to come, so it’s well worth learning how to use one properly and committing to its regular use.

The cost of a custom nightguard will vary based on the materials used and the exact specifications of the appliance. In most cases, the cost of a teeth protector for sleeping is far less than veneers, crowns, root canals, or other treatments used to correct the damage caused by the grinding and clenching. If Dr. Corpodian decides that a hard nightguard is the right bruxism or TMJ syndrome treatment for you, he will provide you with an estimate of your cost.
If you are experiencing tooth damage, jaw pain, or other symptoms of bruxism, call today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Corpodian. If he determines that your issues are caused by teeth grinding or clenching, they will help you find the right nightguard or bruxism treatment for you.