A large number of the patients I see in my practice show evidence of teeth grinding. Many of them report to me that they know they do it, while others insist that they do not. Yet the proof is clear on their teeth that they do in fact grind.
Teeth grinding is a very destructive habit that you cannot oftentimes consciously control. Many people grind in their sleep and are not aware that this process is occurring because there is often no pain associated with it. There are some telltale signs that you can look for to tell if you are grinding and wearing down your teeth.
Signs Of Teeth Grinding
The tips of our canines (“eye teeth”), premolars and molars, start off pointy. As we eat over time, these tips can wear down slightly. Sometimes the ways in which our teeth line up wear these areas down because they are not in proper position. But someone who is grinding their teeth will have a noticeable change in those areas, especially if it has been going on for a long time. The canines often wear down first, then other teeth follow suit as the canines get shorter. The Dentists at Tempe Smile Design can tell by doing a comprehensive evaluation if you have evidence of grinding such as this.
Fracture lines can also develop in and on teeth that have been subjected to grinding and/or clenching forces for a long period of time. These fracture lines can lead to the need for caps or crowns on teeth and sometimes actual tooth loss due to a severe fracture. I have seen patients fracture a “virgin” tooth in half because of grinding or clenching forces being exerted on the teeth that were not protected! This can lead to the need for emergency dentistry and more costly dental work to restore the missing tooth lost to fracture.
V-shaped “grooves” that form at the gum line can sometimes be caused by the forces exerted on the teeth from grinding. With time, these areas can become deeper, become sensitive, and weaken the tooth.
Obviously, noticing a generalized shortening of your tooth length is a good indication one is grinding their teeth.
Without treatment to prevent this process, one can ultimately end up with severe loss of length and end up over closed. This, in turn, leads to the need for full mouth reconstruction, which is tens of thousands of dollars. The treatment for grinding is very simple; having a custom splint made to wear while grinding (sleep or daytime, whenever the grinding occurs).
Contact Temple Smile Design
At Tempe Smile Design, we have these custom made splints fabricated by a laboratory. They are not bulky and ill-fitting, like the over the counter splints. It takes only 2 short visits to produce this appliance. It is comfortable and easy to wear, and far less complicated and expensive than expensive crown and bridge work. And it lasts for years if well taken care of. The damage from grinding is very preventable. Don’t wait until it is too late. Contact Tempe Smile Design at 480-829-8200 and let us help you return to health.