Dental Health And Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Lenox Hill Bruxism-Teeth Grinding | Manhattan Cosmetic Dentistry

Have you been told or have you noticed that you grind your teeth while you are sleeping? Occasionally grinding your teeth can be common, but if you constantly grind your teeth, there is the possibility of fracturing, loosening or losing your teeth. It can also harm your jaw, cause headaches, and cause TMD/TMJ. At our Upper East Side dental office, we want you to be aware of the health complications of teeth grinding, also called bruxism, and let you know what you can do to minimize it. If you wake up with headaches or a sore jaw, you might be grinding your teeth in your sleep.

Teeth grinding can be caused by a variety of factors, like stress and anxiety, abnormal bite, missing teeth, or a sleep disorder. If you suspect you might be grinding your teeth at night, make an appointment to see us. We can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth while you are sleeping. If there is already considerable damage done to your mouth, bridges, crowns, root canals or dental implants might be necessary to repair the damage.

There are a few things you can try to reduce or stop bruxism. If you are constantly stressed, try to reduce your stress level by exercising or seeing a counselor. You can also avoid or reduce your caffeine, alcohol and chocolate consumption. Avoid actions that clench your jaw, like chewing gum or other things like pencils. If you suspect you might have a sleep disorder, see your primary care physician for assessment and treatment.

If your child is grinding his or her teeth at night, this could be for a variety of reasons, like when teeth are coming in, if the teeth aren’t aligned, or anxiety and stress. We can assess your child and help determine what may be going on.

You don’t have to suffer from bruxism our dentist can help. Contact Dr. Lattinelli, DMD and Associates for an appointment today!