Clenching & Grinding
Clenching & Grinding
Clenching and grinding teeth, especially at night has many non-optimum affects, from premature wrinkles, to aches and pains. Dr. Maddahi provides treatments to help you stop grinding teeth and can aesthetically fix short teeth and fix worn teeth that result from prolonged grinding. There are symptoms to look for when it is not obvious to you that you clench or grind. It is important to recognize this situation as early as possible to and get it treated by Dr. Maddahi.
Clenching and grinding symptoms include:
- Headaches in the morning or afternoon
- Horizontal folds in the corners of the lips
- Bulky muscles in the jaw
- Worn or uneven teeth
- Collapsed jaw or chin jutting forward
- Ear pain
- Jaw joint pain
- Aching teeth after waking
- Stiffness in jaw while chewing
- Teeth that are sensitive to hot and cold
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Teeth indentations on the tongue
- Rough or raised tissue on the insides of the mouth
- Teeth that are loose
A habit that is more widespread in America than smoking, clenching and grinding goes largely unrecognized and untreated. It is the cause of previously misunderstood aches and pains, like headaches, sensitive teeth and collapsed jaws.
Dr Maddahi has attributed much of the aging that occurs in the lower third of the face with this all to common habit. Worn down teeth from grinding can cause a squished lower third of the face, and clenching can bulk muscles in the face and jaw creating a much harsher look.
The first thing to do is figure out if this is a habit you have. Most people are unaware that they do. The first question to ask yourself is “do your teeth ever touch?” If the answer is yes, then you clench or grind them!
“Teeth are not supposed to touch,” Dr Maddahi explains, “But people who assert this habit are unaware of this. They think it’s completely normal for their teeth to be touching. It’s not, and if they are, to some degree that person is clenching or grinding their teeth during the day.”
The next thing to look out for is jaw tiredness or headaches in the morning. If either of these symptoms are present you are most likely clench or grind your teeth in your sleep, in which case a night guard from your dentist will help considerably.
Stop grinding teeth
One of the biggest problems in dentistry is clenching and grinding. If you are aware of grinding your teeth the best thing to do to prevent further damage is to stop. While that may seem obvious, there is another often unnoticed condition that is, night grinding. Many people have what is known as bruxism (involuntary clenching, gnashing and grinding of the teeth) and do not know it. Often it is only noticed by the person sleeping next to you at night i.e., they can hear you grinding in your sleep. If you have noticed the above mentioned symptoms, chances are you are affected by bruxism. Dr. Maddahi will do a thorough examination of your mouth and jaw to determine the severity of the condition. He must determine which treatments are the best and if he needs to repair any damaged teeth. You will be outfitted with a custom night guard that will help you stop grinding teeth at night and put you on the road to a healthy jaw and mouth.
Can I fix short teeth?
The answer is, yes. Clenching and grinding over the years can result in the teeth dwindling down to being short and stubby. Not only is this not attractive, it can also throw your jaw out of alignment and cause a host of unnecessary aches and pains. A simple way to tell if you have short teeth as a result of grinding is to look in the mirror and ask yourself these questions:
- Are all my upper front teeth a similar length?
- Are the biting edges straight across opposed to each tooth having a gently rounded contour?
The degree to which these questions are answered “yes” determines how severe your condition is. Dr. Maddahi specializes in cosmetic dentistry, along with achieving stellar aesthetic results, he can alleviate the constant uncomfort of having too short of teeth.
The form of treatment will be determined based on your examination with Dr. Maddahi, each individual is unique and requires specialized attention. Dr. Maddahi will take all the time necessary to give you the results you are looking for, when it comes to fixing short teeth, the most common treatments are dental crowns, porcelain veneers or dental bonding, again, your situation is unique and your treatment will be too.
For additional information and treatments, talk to an Anti-Aging Dentistry specialist about the signs of clenching and grinding and what can be done if you find you do indeed have this habit. Your teeth and jaw will thank you!
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