Teeth Grinding Treatment & Night Guards in Glendale
Teeth grinding (bruxism) is common, and almost everyone finds themselves clenching and grinding their teeth now and then. Temporary tension and anxiety are the most likely causes of teeth grinding, but for some, bruxism is an ongoing problem that requires specialized treatment from a dentist. Over time, bruxism's impact on your jaw health can lead to headaches and even pain in the neck area, as well as tooth wear and trouble sleeping.
Custom Night Guards in Glendale CA
Teeth grinding typically happens when you are sleeping. Because of this, some people do not know they grind their teeth. Signs you may grind your teeth include tooth pain, jaw pain, shoulder pain, and tooth breakage. Without intervention, this condition can make it challenging for your jaw to to function correctly in the long-term.
Top Glendale dentist, Dr. Lucio Kim has successfully helped countless patients combat teeth grinding in Glendale CA. Our custom night guard, built to fit your smile, has been the cornerstone of our therapy, and our patients have been thrilled with their results.
Our custom night guards work to gently separate your upper and lower jaws during sleep, which prevents grinding and clenching.
The appliance stops your upper and lower jaw from connecting as you rest. With this device, teeth grinding and clenching is not possible, and you can sleep easier without fear of tooth damage.
Why Do Some People Grind and Clench Their Teeth?
Common causes of bruxism, include:
- Muscle tension
- Dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMD or TMJ)
- Stress
- Tooth alignment issues
Bruxism Risks
Bruxism left untreated can be extremely painful, but it can also mean permanent damage.
Bruxism risks include:
- Tooth wear
- Tooth breakage, chipping, and cracking, which may require dental crowns or even extractions
- Loose teeth
- TMJ or TMD, which may require treatment or even surgery to correct
Night guards are far more affordable than ongoing tooth repair. And your dentist in Glendale, CA wants you to enjoy a healthy smile that does not cause you pain
Our Commitment to Our Glendale Patients
Dr. Kim will always wants to chat with you and learn why your bruxism is an issue before starting treatment at our Glendale office. Your dentist does not want you to feel pain. It is equally essential that we find and eliminate the culprit.
We provide personalized care while working to find the best solutions for your oral health, a solution that eliminates the pain and risks associated with ongoing teeth grinding. If we determine that your problem cannot be corrected with a night guard, we may recommend a specialist to help reverse the situation.
Teeth Grinding Treatment in Glendale, CA
We do not want you to spend your time worrying about this issue or dealing with the associated pain and discomfort. We also don't want you to risk your oral health. If you have one or more symptoms of bruxism, please contact your Glendale dental office to schedule an exam today.
Frequently Asked Questions
In our Glendale, CA dental office, we commonly treat tooth and jaw pain.
Teeth grinding and clenching while asleep, commonly called bruxism, are among the top reasons people wake with jaw and tooth pain. Left untreated, bruxism can lead to enamel erosion, wear on teeth, cavities, breakage, and tooth loss, and is even associated with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) or (TMJ).
TMJ means the hinge-like joint that connects your jaw to your skull is not functioning properly. This can cause headaches, jaw pain, neck pain, locked jaw, and clicking sounds in the joint when speaking or chewing.
We offer successful treatments for teeth grinding in Glendale, CA.
Our top Glendale dentist creates custom nightguards, which have saved a lot of smiles. These comfortable nighttime appliances gently thrust your lower jaw forward to prevent grinding and clenching during sleep.
Our custom nightguards in Glendale, CA are known for ease of wear and provide a gentle remedy to help you get the sleep you need without the pain.
The first step is scheduling a consultation with our Glendale, CA dentist!
Get in Touch with Our 91207 Dental Office
If you are suffering the symptoms of bruxism and would like to be evaluated for teeth grinding and clenching in Glendale, CA, give us a call today.
If you grind and clench your teeth (bruxism), it is essential to contact your dentist in Glendale, CA to look into nightguard therapy. Bruxism can lead to TMJ and other health complications like worn teeth, fractures, cavities, headaches, neck pain, and more.
When you grind and clench your teeth—often during sleep—you can damage your temporomandibular joints. These are the joints that connect your upper and lower jaws.
Signs of TMJ include:
- A popping or clicking sound in the jaw
- Jaw locking
- Jaw pain
- Headache
- Neck and shoulder pain
If your TMJ results from bruxism, you may also experience:
- Worn teeth
- Tooth fractures
- Toothaches
- Sensitivity
In some cases, the symptoms of TMJ and bruxism overlap—headaches, neck, and jaw pain are good examples.
Your dentist in Glendale provides bruxism and TMJ therapy to help keep your jaw in line and your teeth healthy. To achieve this, we create a custom nightguard. This appliance gently separates your upper and lower jaw so you can sleep easily and wake refreshed and without the pain.
To Learn Whether a Custom Nightguard in Glendale Is Right for You, Contact Us
Our dentist can evaluate your case, look for the telltale signs of bruxism, and prescribe treatment for you. If you’re ready to get started, we are here to chat.
If you grind your teeth without being aware of it, you're hardly alone. Millions of Americans suffer from bruxism, which is another way of saying they regularly grind or gnash their teeth.
Patients who have bruxism often don't know that it's happening, but they suffer the consequences. Long-term side effects include facial pain, headaches, and eroded teeth.
What Causes Bruxism?
The cause of bruxism is hard to pinpoint, but our Glendale dentists acknowledge that it can impact both children and adults.
Many factors can trigger bruxism, including medication, genetics, habits, illness, anxiety, A-type leadership personalities, and misaligned bites.
Symptoms of Bruxism
One of the most tell-tale signs of bruxism is enamel erosion. Grinding teeth often creates cracks that expose the layer beneath the enamel. This wear-and-tear on teeth allows bacteria to enter and lead to tooth decay.
Other signs and of bruxism include:
- Fractured teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Grinding during sleep
- Headaches
- Lack of sleep
How We Treat Eroded Teeth
The good news is that there is more than one cosmetic dental treatment that can repair grinded teeth.
First, we will work on controlling the bruxism before we focus on restoration.
Common treatment includes a night guard while you sleep. These are clear plastic appliances that can be comfortably worn and relieve the symptoms of bruxism.
Another popular treatment includes BOTOX® injections to help relax your jaw muscles.
Some lifestyle habits can impact your oral health, including tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drugs. Eliminating these elements from your lifestyle can deter bruxism. Stress management exercises, like mindfulness, for our particularly driven patients can also help.
Ready to Protect Your Smile?
Teeth grinding and other oral health issues can lead to long-term damage if left untreated. Take the first step toward a healthier smile—call the office of Dr. Lucio H. Kim today to schedule your consultation and learn which treatment options are right for you.
Meet Our Doctor:
Lucio H. Kim DDS
Dr. Kim obtained his Bachelors of Science degree at UC San Diego in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Dr. Kim attended dental school at the University of Southern California.
After obtaining his DDS at USC, Dr. Kim went on to complete a residency at the highly competitive UCLA Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) postgraduate program, where he focused on reconstructive, restorative, and implant dentistry.
He has also received advanced training for dental implants at the Misch International Implant Institute and at the Global ...
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