Tooth Wear & Grinding

Helping you preserve your teeth

Tooth Wear and Grinding Treatment in El Cajon

As we sleep, many of us squeeze, clench, and grind our teeth. Just a little each night can wear the tissues and enamel can wear down, changing the bite. Many times, people awake with sore muscles, a clue their mouths are actually grinding at night. However, many people don’t even experience symptoms, such as jaw pain, headache, or sore muscles in the morning and make no grinding noises while sleeping, but their teeth are being affected.

If we find evidence of premature wear on your teeth we will let you know. We have technologies such as oral photos that can show you the extent of the wear. Depending on the damage the wear has already caused, we will discuss what we can do together to manage, correct, or lessen the effects of wear.

There are many reasons why people wear down their teeth, from stress to bite alignment problems, and even issues with how we sleep. Prevention comes in the form of mouth guards, which gently hold your teeth in position.

Effects of teeth grinding

In the photos below, you can see the damaging effects of grinding the teeth both during the day and at night while you sleep. Our dentists can detect if this occurring and can not only help prevent the wear with oral devices to protect your teeth, but can also correct the actual damage to your teeth with restorative measures.

Mouthguards to prevent grinding

If our dentists see evidence that suggest you are grinding your teeth they will let you know what your options are for protecting them. Mouthguards are very effective against teeth grinding while you sleep.

A Forced Management Guard (Night Guard) which prevents destructive wear on the teeth.

 

The NTI device is very effective in preventing tooth wear.
Testing to see if you grind your teeth

More than 8% of the American population grind (bruxism), squeeze, clench, or rub their teeth together during sleep or while under stress or habit during the daytime.

Results of sleep or daytime grinding can be tooth wear, jaw joint problems, morning headache, poor sleep, and daytime sleepiness. Few people ever seek treatment for this, yet it is an important strategy in keeping your teeth healthy for a lifetime.

Sleep Bruxism Questionnaire
  • Do you clench your teeth strongly while sleeping?
  • Does your bed partner complain that you grind your teeth while sleeping?
  • Do you feel pain/stiffness/weariness in your jaw joint when you wake up?
  • Do you have difficulty opening your mouth when you wake up?
  • Do you hear a “click” sound when opening your mouth for the first time in the morning?
  • Did you notice or have you been told that your teeth are showing signs of wear?
The Bite Strip allows you to test for teeth grinding while you sleep.