The Bible calls tooth grinding, gnashing. The dental name is bruxism. Over the years grinding will flatten teeth and it can first be seen as the cuspids flatten in the smile. Some patients make noises and their spouses complain of not sleeping. One of the first signs is tooth sensitivity because of the flexing. Teeth are not designed to flex so this pressure causes them to melt in the areas of bending. This area can become very sensitive and nothes appear with time. The constant pressure results in gum inflammation and early loss of traumatized teeth.

          Many patients with tooth grinding develop large bone bumps [torus mandibularis, torus palatinus] as the body strengthens the supporting bone. Patients who grind often have temporal headaches from overworked chewing muscles. Sometimes patients complain of dreams of losing their teeth. This is probably due to the brain incorporating the pressures on the teeth into the dream. In severe cases, patients develop painful and loose teeth. It may even weaken and break the teeth. Most grinding patients are not aware that they grind. When shown the the evidence, many patients only believe that they are bruxing when they sleep but a careful observer can see the facial muscles tighten and move while the patient is grinding.

          Tooth grinding can be caused by some prescription drugs such as antidepressants. Patients often have sore jaws from overworked jaw muscles. Caffiene and nicotine aggravate sore jaw muscles. Grinding at night causes disturbed and restless sleep. In children, it may be caused by the body's attempt to open a blocked eustacian tube caused by allergies.

          Tooth grinding is worse when a patient is emotionally or physically stressed. Much treatment is aimed at protecting the teeth. We recommend a soft guard to cover the lower teeth along with a six week program to reduce muscle irritation. Our philosophy is based on the concept that the grinding is based on some physical problem that precipitates it. Many patients have concurrent TMJ problems, snore and have sleep apnea. If you would like to make an appointment with TMJ Dentist, Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky, call 404-874-7428.