25
May
Do you grind your teeth at night? here’s what to do!
If you are like most people, you probably grind your teeth on that rare occasion. Usually in your sleep. Occasional teeth grinding or bruxism, usually does not cause harm. However, if you grind your teeth on a regular basis, you can suffer oral health issues. If you do grind your teeth on a regular basis, you might want to pay a visit to your Chino Hills family dentist for a night guard.
Reasons why you grind your teeth
The exact cause of sleep bruxism is not known or fully understood. It has been discovered that several factors may play a role such as anxiety, stress, heavy alcohol use and caffeine. Recent studies show that teeth grinding episodes during sleep are preceded by an increase in brain activity and heart rate. This suggests that your central nervous system might be a major factor in the initiation of teeth grinding.
Diagnosis
If you suffer jaw discomfort or general fatigue when you wake up in the morning, it could be a sign you grind your teeth at night. If you have enlarged jaw muscles or excessive tooth wear, it could be a sign of bruxism. See your dentist to confirm the diagnosis via clinical examination. Other signs that indicate you might suffer bruxism include tooth sensitivity, frequent waking during the night and waking up with a headache.
Treatment
A bite guard worn at night is the cornerstone treatment for teeth grinding but medications, including muscle relaxers, can be used for short-term control. There are also other drugs that are currently being investigated for treatment.
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Dr. Uday Shah brings 35 years of expertise in Clinical Dentistry. Graduating from India’s Government Dental College and earning a Master’s in Periodontics, he furthered his education at NYU School of Dentistry. Dr. Shah is licensed in Arizona and California, where he has built a successful multi-specialty practice. He holds Fellowships from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (2010) and the International Congress of Oral Implantology (2012). A member of the ADA and CDA, he also contributes to the Oral Cancer Foundation. Founder of Sunny Family Dental, he is dedicated to integrating cutting-edge technology and maintaining high standards in patient care.
Success Stories
Hi, my name is John Arslane. I’m a new patient for Dr. Shah but I’d like to give you my first impressions. First of all, the technology is unbelievable here. It all started off with registering online, the photography, there’s X-rays, everything is paperless, and I was very, very impressed with the technology and the state of art. More impressive, however, is Dr. Shah himself. He takes the time to talk to you as a person in laymen terms, explains everything, and trains you. I’ve been brushing my teeth for 72 years and I just realized today that I’ve never done it the right way; I learned today from Dr. Shah. So, my first impressions are awesome.
My name is Marlow and this is my very first visit to Dr. Shah’s office. I came in for a tooth whitening and I couldn’t have been more impressed with the staff and all of the new technology. And I found this whole experience to be absolutely amazing and wonderful. I couldn’t believe the nice leather seats and the TV while I was having my cleaning done and I’m actually looking forward to coming back to the dentist.