Teeth Grinding/TMJ Treatment

Teeth grinding is a painful habit that can damage your teeth, and the problem is you may not even realize you are doing it!

Occasional grinding, or bruxism, is typical; chronic grinding – especially while you sleep – is not. Headaches, a sore jaw, or ear pain are all telltale signs that you are grinding your teeth unconsciously while you sleep.

At Cornerstone Dental, we see the damage that the constant force of grinding and clenching can have on your teeth and jaw joint. Fortunately, we can usually solve the problem with a simple oral device that you wear while you sleep.

Why You Grind Your Teeth

There isn’t one particular reason why people grind their teeth. According to The Bruxism Association, anxiety, stress, smoking, and heavy alcohol or caffeine use all contribute to the problem. One common culprit is an unbalanced dental bite that causes you to bite down with more force on one side than the other. 

TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) involves improper functioning of the jaw joint and can also cause grinding. However, TMJ can be challenging to diagnose, so it’s best to visit our office for an evaluation.

We Offer a Simple Solution for Teeth Grinding

Chronic grinding causes pain and discomfort, but it also takes a toll on healthy teeth. Without treatment, grinding can lead to fracturing, looseness, or loss of teeth.

Teeth grinding causes a lot of damage, but there is a way to combat the problem. At Cornerstone Dental, Missoula dentist Dr. Lindsay Rogers offers a simple oral appliance that you wear while you sleep. The device may be referred to as a bite splint, occlusal guard, or night guard. 

The first step is an exam with Dr. Rogers, where she will talk to you about your symptoms and how we can help. If you are a good candidate, we will take impressions of your teeth to create a device that looks like a mouth guard.

The guard prevents your upper and lower teeth from coming into contact with each other. It prevents damage and gives your jaw joint a chance to rest. Since the device eliminates the stress on your jaw, it offers rapid relief from the painful symptoms of TMJ and grinding. Many of our patients have found the comfort they need by using our customized night guard!

Please Call for a Consultation

If you have symptoms that you believe are related to teeth grinding, please call our Missoula dental office to arrange a consultation. We understand your discomfort and how it can negatively impact you.

You do not have to allow the pain that results from teeth grinding and TMJ to control your life. Dr. Rogers will work with you until we find the solution that eliminates your pain and lets you reclaim your life.