Teeth Grinding & Bruxism Treatment in Houston, TX

Normal chewing causes brief intervals of contact between teeth. Under normal circumstances, teeth should only contact for about five minutes each day. Slight tooth wear over several years of chewing is common, and bite edges can chip a little.

Sometimes, teeth develop a flattened and worn appearance in adults and even in young patients. X-rays may reveal unusually thin layers of enamel, as if sandpaper has been drawn across the chewing surfaces of the teeth. A few minutes of chewing each day shouldn’t erode the enamel so much.

You Don’t Even Know

Some patients develop a subconscious habit of grinding their teeth, either during the day or night. In many cases, the abrasive action occurs while sleeping and only for a few seconds at a time. If you wake up with a sore jaw or morning headache, chances are you’re grinding your teeth during the night. In some patients, enlarged jaw muscles can develop on sides of the face from this nighttime grinding. These muscles are, ounce for ounce, the strongest in the body and can do a lot of unnecessary damage.

This unusual activity not only wears down teeth, but also strains overworked muscles. The compressive forces can damage the intricate jaw joints on one or both sides. Damage to the joints may lead to arthritic changes, chronic pain, popping, and clicking. Once these changes settle in, reversing this condition may become impossible.

Avoiding Irreversible Damage

If you’re waking up with a sore jaw, headache, or have noticed chipped or flattened teeth, a consult with Drs. Nimri and Zingalis is recommended. The sooner the problem receives attention, the less damage there will be. Oftentimes, a carefully calibrated night guard will eliminate symptoms while protecting your precious enamel.

Daytime habits of clenching or grinding deserve attention too. Drs. Nimri and Zingalis will analyze your bite to make sure they’re moving against each other properly while chewing. Regardless of the cause, quickly eliminating strain on the jaw and teeth can save money and time spent in the dental chair.