Because you may not know that you have tooth grinding until you suffer complications, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms, and to seek regular dental care. When you are asleep, your jaw clenches and grinds without you knowing. The force the jaw exerts can be up to ten times more than what it exerts when you are biting and chewing, and there is no food to buffer those forces, which means that your teeth are absorbing the full force of the jaw.
Without treatment, tooth grinding can lead to pain, tenderness, sensitivity, tension headaches, damaged teeth, restoration damage, TMJ disorders, and periodontal disease. A night guard can protect your teeth and reduce the risk of damage. Our dentist can customize a night guard that fits over your teeth comfortably, absorbs the pressure from the jaw, and cushions the teeth to prevent damage associated with grinding. Other treatments may also be suggested to prevent tooth grinding. Call our office today to learn more about bruxism or to schedule an appointment with our dentist in Agoura Hills.