Medical professionals reckon that there are two primary causes of nocturnal teeth grinding. Stress can manifest itself in all sorts of different ways in different patients, including the grinding of teeth during sleep. The second major cause is that teeth are not aligned properly and therefore the patient grinds them together while sleeping.

Kingston upon Thames dentists cannot do much to help with the stress of their patients; that is a matter for health professionals of a different stripe. But in cases where bruxism is being caused by misaligned teeth then dentists can advise patients to undergo some sort of tooth straightening treatment. It is essential that bruxism is stopped wherever it occurs because it can have serious implications for the health of sufferers’ mouths.

The substance called enamel guards our teeth and it is generally very hard wearing. However it is threatened not only plaque but also by teeth grinding. Once the enamel is worn away then plaque has an even better chance of attacking the fundamental structure of teeth and causing cavities. For any patient who suffers from bruxism it will be advisable to wear a mouth guard during sleep. These devices take the impact off the grinding and protect the enamel.

Health professionals reckon that there are two main causes of what is clinically known as bruxism. Patients who suffer from psychological stress often grind their teeth during the night as a manifestation of their anxiety. There can be dental causes of bruxism too, most commonly if the patient has teeth which are misaligned and so grinds them together when sleeping.

In doing so, patients run the risk of wearing down the vital and protecting enamel coating on teeth and leaving themselves open to developing cavities. In extreme cases, teeth can actually break down and begin to entirely lose their functionality. Disorders with the TMJ (temporomandibular joint), the bone which connects the jaw to the skulls, can also ensue, with patients experiencing aching jaws and shoulders and putting themselves at risk of suffering from muscular spasms.

Wearing a mouth guard is a simple way to ameliorate the effects of nocturnal teeth grinding. Your Shepperton dentist can easily make you one of these simple devices which will take the impact out the grinding and protect their integrity. If the problem is with the alignment of your teeth then it might be recommended that you wear a brace or one of the other devices which can correct the layout of your teeth and ensure that you won’t slip into grinding your teeth at night anymore.

Many experts believe that stress is a major factor in teeth grinding during sleep. Dentists also offer faulty alignment of teeth as a potential cause. It is always worth reporting suspected teeth grinding to your dentist so that your mouth can be examined.

Grinding your teeth in your sleep can lead to problems in your mouth. It is possible that the sustained pressure placed in your teeth will lead to one or more of them becoming cracked, chipped or even worn down. It is desirable that this is not allowed to happen so that procedures to correct these problems are avoided. These procedures can be time consuming and costly so it is best to simply eliminate teeth grinding in the first place.

Your dentist can examine your mouth to attempt to find a cause for your teeth grinding. If it is determined that stress is the likely cause then you might be referred to a mental health specialist. If teeth alignment is designated as the cause then your dentist can easily fit you a mouth guard to stop your teeth from having to take the strain of grinding during the night.

Teeth grinding during sleep might not seem like a major issue but it can cause inconvenient problems with, not just your teeth, but also your jaw and face too. Contact your Kingston-Upon-Thames dentist today for more information about teeth grinding during sleep and how to stop it.

It is thought that as many as one in ten people suffer from some form of the condition but few ever receive the necessary treatment. The main symptoms of TMJ are characterised by pain but there can be a number of other tell tale signs. Limited movement of the jaw, ringing in the ears, dizziness and muscle stiffness can all also be signs of TMJ. Often TMJ is only mild and will heal on its own without treatment over a few weeks. However, if the pain does not go away it may be necessary to go to your Kingston-upon-Thames dentist to have the problem treated.

At present there is no standard test for the diagnosis of TMJ. Your dentist will need to conduct a series of tests and examine your medical history to see if you are likely to be a sufferer. There are several major causes of TMJ but the most likely include injuries to the jaw, genetic predisposition and clenching or grinding of the teeth. Treatment of the condition often involves avoiding food difficult to chew and anything that could involve a large jaw movement. Keeping the levels of discomfort to a minimum will help to reduce the impact of the condition and allow for a more speedy recovery.

It was commonly believed that TMJ was a stress related condition but recent reserach has lead many clinicians to believe there are multiple causes for TMJ. One of the most common causes however, is a problem affecting bite. Bite is the way the upper and lower teeth sit together and can be interrupted by alterations to teeth structure, possibly from a lost or broken tooth. When the bite is altered it can force a displacement of the lower jaw forcing the muscles to overcompensate for the change.

In other cases TMJ can be the result of a head trauma involving a sudden jolt or blow to the head or face. This can cause damage to the muscles which will slowly manifest itself as TMJ. Other common causes for TMJ include sub-conscious teeth grinding called bruxism, teeth clenching or uneven surfaces on the teeth.

The most common symptom of TMJ is, unfortunately, pain. This pain can be very unpleasant and can affect all areas of the head and face and can even travel into the neck and shoulders. Sufferers often experience clicking, popping or locking during jaw movement. It is also common for areas of the face to swell making any kind or jaw movement very difficult.

A dentist will diagnose TMJ by conducting a simple clench test. If the patient experiences pain when the jaw is firmly shut it could be an indicator of TMJ. More extensive testing includes making dental moulds and mounting the impressions on a machine called an articulator to mimic jaw movement and discover the problem. Some relief form TMJ can be had from over-the-counter medication, but only a long-term cure will bring an end to the pain completely. Long-term solutions can include physiotherapy, dental treatment or having a dental appliance fitted to prevent any bite alteration or grinding. If you are suffering with pain in any part of your face or jaw, make an appointment with a Molesey dentist to have a test done for TMJ and you could bring an end to your suffering.

Teeth grinding isn’t usually a big problem, but can cause jaw, mouth, neck, and facial pain. Poor fillings, removable full or partial dentures, and/or missing teeth, can throw off the bite and lead to teeth grinding. The dentist will check your .mouth for wear patterns, and take impressions to have stone models made of your mouth, so that the teeth’s wear patterns can be observed. A bite equilibration may be performed, or the dentist may have the dental laboratory make a hard or a soft type of mouth guard to help keep you from damaging your teeth anymore. These appliances work to help diagnose the teeth grinding problem, and to help solve the problems. If you are grinding your teeth, your dentist will be able to detect the wear patterns on the appliance. You could possibly be referred to a specialist depending on what type of treatment is required to resolve your teeth grinding. Many types of appliances and treatments exist for teeth grinding, and these will be reviewed at your Shepperton Dental Clinic. The problem could also be a very easy fix, such as adjusting the bite on one or two teeth. Visit your Shepperton dentist and get some advice if this problem occurs!