Neuromuscular Dentistry – Stress and Teeth Grinding

COLUMBUS, OH – These are stressful times – and people exhibit this stress in different ways.  One of the most common is clenching and grinding your teeth.  This is called bruxism and most patients never realize that they are grinding their teeth until it causes painful problems.

Should you be concerned that you might be grinding your teeth?  Absolutely!  The act of bruxism can literally chew away the enamel on your teeth.  The American Dental Association (ADA) states that up to 50% of the American population has experienced some form of bruxism or teeth grinding at some point in their lives.  Most often, this grinding occurs at night while asleep which is why patients don’t know they have the problem.

There are some signs to look for:

• Do you wake up with sore jaws or jaw joints?
• Do you wake up with headaches?
• Have you experienced tooth breakage?

You might also ask your spouse or a friend to take note to see if you are clenching or grinding your teeth while sleeping.  Chronic bruxism can lead to dental problems and even temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ).  A trained neuromuscular dentist can help with bruxism.   By wearing a specially designed orthotic appliance while you sleep you can protect your teeth and jaw joints from damage.

If you are showing symptoms of bruxism or have questions about this common problem and how neuromuscular dentistry can help,  please contact Dr. Mark Levy at 614-454-3488.