teeth grinding Archives - 5 Star Dental Group

What to Do If I Unconsciously Clench My Jaw and Grind My Teeth?

Posted on September 22, 2023 by AllSmiles.

I unconsciously clench my jaw during the day and grind my teeth at night. Unfortunately, it’s been a habit for five or six years. When I had my dental cleaning last year, my dentist said my teeth looked fine. I was sick for a few months and had to reschedule my dental cleaning appointment, but I finally had the cleaning and exam two weeks ago. I told my dentist I’ve had brief pain in my lower teeth on both sides of my mouth. I’ve never had a cavity. My dentist said she doesn’t see cavities on the X-ray, so maybe the pain is from grinding my teeth. She said my teeth look fine, but I might need a bruxism nightguard if the discomfort continues. Is it that simple? – T. Young

Hello, T. Young,

We are glad you thought to ask about your teeth grinding and how to treat it.

Diagram of the temporomandibular joint and surrounding structures

A prosthodontist can give you a custom mouthguard to minimize temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort.

We are concerned that your dentist’s exam may not have been thorough. Your teeth may look fine, but everything is not okay if you feel pain in your lower molar teeth. Your dentist focused on cavities, but perhaps she ignored TMJ symptoms, gum disease, or a problem with your bite. We recommend getting a second opinion at another dental practice.

Tooth decay doesn’t usually cause the pain you’ve described. It sounds like it may result from tooth grinding or gum disease. Pursue your concerns with another dentist because the cause of your discomfort can increase and lead to more serious dental problems. Dental pain from gum disease can spread, causing loose teeth and bone loss.

Teeth clenching and grinding wear teeth away, affecting your smile and chewing function. Your dentist mentioned that you may need a night guard. A TMJ mouthguard can absorb the grinding pressure to protect your jaw and facial muscles.

Please get a second opinion from a dentist with occlusion and bite training to determine the cause of your discomfort and recommend treatment.

San Antonio dentists Dr. Gilberto Tostado and Dr. Karina Acuña sponsor this post. Read how they strive to provide patients with some of the best dental care in San Antonio.

Serious TMJ Issue

Posted on November 10, 2021 by Annmarie Worthington.

I need some advice. About nine years ago, I had dental crowns placed on all my teeth because of a teeth grinding habit that wore down my natural teeth. Now those are ground down too. I’m not sure the crowns were placed correctly because my gums have hurt and had problems since they were placed. Recent developments, though, have me more miserable. My jaw is slanted and aches all day. It clicks every time I move it or chew. I went to see a dentist who called himself a TMJ Dentist, not realizing that was not a real specialty. He put me in an orthotic device for two years. Now my lower jaw is more forward that my upper arch of teeth and I am in constant pain. Where do I go from here?

Jennine

Dear Jennine,

Woman holding her cheek in pain and in need of an emergency dentist

You were on the right track going to a TMJ Dentist, but as you learned it is not a recognized specialty so any dentist can call themselves a TMJ Dentist. It does require some extra training and understanding of bites and dental crowns. Currently, you are dealing with a serious case of TMJ Disorder and will need to start over on treatment. Look for someone who has done post-doctoral training. That second dentist left you in an orthotic way too long and threw off your bite. I think he should take some responsibility for your re-treatment.

Crowning all your teeth, as your original dentist did, is called a full-mouth reconstruction and is quite an advanced procedure. I would want a prosthodontist to do that. They have specialized training in dental crowns. I’m curious about the fact that you were able to grind down the dental crowns as well. Did your dentist provide you with a mouth guard? This should have protected your teeth from any nighttime grinding, which is when most people grind their teeth.

All in all, it sounds like you’ve had very poor care from your dentists. I want you to make sure you ask about credentials and also look at reviews before moving forward with another dentist.

I am sorry this has happened to you.

This blog is brought to you by San Antonio Dentist Dr. Tostado.

Are My TMJ Problems and Diabetes Related?

Posted on July 3, 2020 by AllSmiles.

Hi there,

I have been having jaw pain for months. I tense my jaw when I’m stressed, and I grind my teeth at night. My dentist made a night guard so I would stop grinding, but still no relief. I have tried cold compresses and ibuprofen to reduce the pain and inflammation, but still nothing. My dentist also ground down some teeth, as a misaligned bite was likely causing TMJ pain. Still no help.

My insurance has not been covering this, so I am out a lot of money and no closer to finding an answer to my pain. I feel like my dentist has given up, as his latest idea is that my diabetes is responsible for my pain. Is that correct? He knew I had diabetes when I first walked into the office, so why did it take him so long to mention a link between the two?

Since he thinks it is linked to my diabetes, he says there is nothing he can do for the pain. It is interfering with my daily life; I can barely eat or sleep because of the pain. What can I do? Or will I be in pain for the rest of my life?

From Alphonse, in Columbus, Ohio

Hi Alphonse,

You are correct, your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is likely the cause of your pain. However, if your dentist knew you were diabetic, he should not have prescribed you ibuprofen, as it is contraindicated for diabetics, meaning you could be at higher risk of side effects.

Diabetes can cause oral health problems, such as dry mouth, which can lead to gingivitis. It can also cause diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage to your nerves near the surface of your skin. This usually affects a patient’s feet but can affect other parts of your body, and very rarely affects your face.

Despite the link between the two, there are still ways to options. If your dentist is not willing to treat your pain, you should seek a second opinion. A dentist more skilled in treating TMJ will likely be able to provide you some relief.

This blog post is brought to you by San Antonio TMJ dentist, Dr. Gilberto Tostado, of 5 Star Dental Group. Please note that TMJ is not a specialization or certification, but dentist who pursue continuing education courses pertaining to TMJ will call themselves TMJ dentists or TMJ specialists.