Treating teeth grinding is an essential part of preventative dentistry at Lovett Dental Pearland in Texas. Also known as bruxism, this condition that causes grinding, clenching, or gnashing your teeth can not only damage your teeth but can also lead to

• Teeth grinding headache
• Jaw disorders
• Ringing and/or stuffiness in the ears
• Cluster headaches, tension headaches
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Neck pain

Because grinding your teeth is something you may only do during your sleep, you may not even know you have it before its damage is done. That’s why it is essential to have regular dental checkups. Your family dentist at Lovett Dental Pearland would like you to know a few points about teeth grinding.

Symptoms of Teeth Grinding

Grinding your teeth produces some symptoms that are a signal that you need to make an appointment to be seen by your family dentist at Lovett Dental Pearland. You might have fillings coming out, or your teeth might be unusually sensitive to hot or cold foods and beverages. You could have receding gums or notice your jaw muscles become larger and stronger.

Your dentist will recognize all of these symptoms and one more, which is the presence of a white line inside your cheek caused by the constant pressure of grinding your teeth at night.

Damage similar to teeth grinding problems can also result from other conditions.
A majority of people have some kind of rhythmic muscular action in their mouths while they sleep. It’s more widespread in people who snore. It’s very common in people who have obstructive sleep apnea, acid reflux disease, or parasomnias, conditions that cause people to talk, walk, and engage in other unexpected activities in their sleep. The dental care you get for teeth grinding in these conditions is similar to what you would need for bruxism, but your dentist will recognize differences that signal the need to be seen by a different kind of doctor for a potentially serious condition.

There Is No Cure, But Teeth Grinding Can Be Managed

It’s important to understand that teeth grinding at night isn’t something that your dentist and doctor can make go away entirely, but it is something that your dentist can keep from doing serious damage to your teeth.

Sometimes your dentist at Lovett Dental Pearland will prescribe an appliance that you can wear at night to keep your teeth from grinding against each other. Sometimes your dentist will look over the list of medications you are taking and make suggestions to your doctor about changes that prevent teeth grinding at night. Or the answer may be learning a relaxation technique, especially if you have a problem with daytime teeth grinding. Your dentist will have the best solution for managing teeth grinding.

If you have a problem with teeth grinding, particularly with nighttime teeth grinding, you will need ongoing, regular dental exams from your family dentist. The good news about teeth grinding is that it usually gets better as you get older. You’ll still need dental care, but you won’t have as much ongoing damage to your teeth.

Reach Out to Lovett Dental Pearland for Help with Teeth Grinding

Lovett Dental Pearland is the one place you need to go for all your dental care needs. Lovett Dental Pearland is here to help with teeth grinding and all your dental issues. We’re here to keep you and your family in the best possible dental health at every stage in your life.

Lovett Dental Pearland offers teeth fillings, cleanings, nightguards, crowns, and bridges. We do professional teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry, bonding, veneers, and braces. And we offer dental implants, ridge augmentation, root canals, and dental surgery. We can take care of all of your dental care needs.

Give us a call at 281-416-5844 or request your dental appointment online today.