General Dentistry
Bruxism Treatment & Night Guards in Stockton, CA
Grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw are the two main characteristics of bruxism, a condition that does most of its damage while you are asleep and unaware of it.
Bruxism is an oral parafunctional activity that occurs in most people at some point in their lives. It can happen during the day or at night, and it is one of the most common known sleep disorders, which is precisely why it causes most of its damage during sleeping hours, when you have no awareness of it and no ability to stop.
Earache, depression, headaches, eating disorders and anxiety are among the most common associated symptoms.
Bruxism is frequently misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed at all, because it is only one of several possible causes of tooth wear. Only a trained professional can tell the difference between bruxing wear and wear caused by overly aggressive brushing, acidic soft drinks or abrasive foods.
Why it should be treated promptly
- Gum recession and tooth loss. Bruxism damages soft tissue directly and leads to loose teeth and deep pockets where bacteria can colonize, a direct path into gum disease.
- Occlusal trauma. Abnormal wear patterns on the chewing surfaces can lead to fractures in the teeth.
- Arthritis. In severe and chronic cases, bruxing can eventually lead to painful arthritis in the temporomandibular joints.
- Myofascial pain. Grinding can shorten and blunt the teeth, leading to debilitating headaches and muscle pain.
Treatment options
There is no single cure for bruxism, but several devices and approaches help:
- Mouthguards. An acrylic mouthguard made from impressions of your teeth minimizes the abrasive action of tooth surfaces during sleep. It is worn on a long-term basis and is the most common approach.
- NTI-tss device. A professionally fitted device covering only the front teeth, which limits contraction of the temporalis muscle so the rear molars cannot grind together.
- Botox®. Injected into the muscle to relax it enough to prevent grinding, without affecting chewing or speaking.
- Relaxation and stress management. Relaxation exercises, stress management education and biofeedback are also used, since stress is a frequent contributor.
Repairing the damage
Once the bruxing is under control, restorative and cosmetic work can address what the grinding has already done. Dental crowns, gum grafts and crown lengthening can restore both function and appearance.
The order matters: protecting the teeth comes first, because restorations placed on an unprotected bruxing bite will fail the same way the natural teeth did.
If you wake with a sore jaw or headaches, or your partner has mentioned the sound, request an appointment or call (209) 951-3436.
How bruxism is diagnosed
Bruxism is frequently misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed at all, because tooth wear has several possible causes and the patient is usually asleep for the relevant event.
Diagnosis relies on the pattern of wear rather than on any single sign. Flattened chewing surfaces, small fractures in the enamel, tooth sensitivity, and gum recession appearing alongside jaw or muscle pain together point toward grinding in a way that none of them does alone. That assessment happens as part of a routine examination, which is why bruxism is often first raised by us rather than by the patient.
Living with a night guard
A guard is worn on a long-term basis, and the practical questions matter as much as the clinical ones.
Getting used to it
Most people adapt within a couple of weeks. It should feel secure rather than tight, and anything that rubs or changes how your teeth meet is worth reporting rather than tolerating.
Looking after it
Guards are cleaned daily and kept dry between uses. They are checked at your routine visits, both for wear and to confirm the fit still matches your bite, since teeth move gradually over years.
Repairing what grinding has already done
If you wake with a sore jaw or headaches, request an appointment or call (209) 951-3436. Dr. Van Sicklen will assess whether the wear pattern points to grinding before recommending a guard.
Questions patients ask
- How do I know if I grind my teeth?
- Most people do not, because it happens during sleep. The common clues are waking with a sore jaw or headache, tooth sensitivity without an obvious cause, or a partner mentioning the sound. Only a trained professional can tell the difference between bruxing wear and wear caused by aggressive brushing, acidic drinks or abrasive foods.
- Will a store-bought mouthguard work?
- A custom acrylic mouthguard is designed from impressions of your teeth, so it fits and distributes force where it should. Over-the-counter versions are not made to your bite, and a poorly fitting guard can change how your teeth meet.
- Does stress cause bruxism?
- Stress is a frequent contributor, which is why relaxation exercises, stress management education and biofeedback are among the approaches used. It is rarely the whole picture, and treatment usually combines protecting the teeth with addressing what is driving the habit.
- Can grinding damage crowns and other dental work?
- Yes. Grinding loads restorations far beyond what normal chewing produces, and it is a common reason crowns and fillings fail early. Where bruxism is present we address it before placing significant restorative work, so the new work does not fail the way the natural teeth did.
Ready to get started?
Much of your first visit is spent explaining your individual treatment and getting to know you, so you can make a decision you feel good about.