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If you’re trying to escape thinking of the pandemic and who could blame you?
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this is not the story for you.
Yes, you may have clicked because youclench your jaw or grind your teeth.
Sharon Huang, founder of Les Belles Dentistry in New York City, agrees with this sentiment.
Keep reading to help identify the root causes and best treatments for both grinding and jaw clenching.
How do you know if you clench your jaw or grind your teeth?
For starters, there are some clear indicators of how you move your jaw.
Usually, grinding presents as alterations to the shape and color of your tooth.
“They’ve ground through the enamel and now the yellow/brown dentin is showing through.”
The shape of your teeth may also be a giveaway that you grind.
“People who clench and grind their teeth, their teeth are really flat,” says Huang.
“Teeth are supposed to be [like] a lock and key.
These [craze lines] are actually microfracture,” she explains.
“For patients who are clenching because of an overactive muscle, then they present with a squarish face.
From the face, you see the muscle getting bigger over time,” says Huang.
One issue that isn’t as commonly known is how grinding and clenching can affect the gums.
“Grinding and clenching can cause receded areas at the gum line,” says Veytsman.
“That’s because the neck of the tooth is really the thinnest part of the tooth.
So it takes the most of the stress of that pressure, which causes recession.”
Another clue you could be grinding?Tooth sensitivity.
“And they think they have a cavity.
Huang explains that this is a temporary fix, but it does keep the muscles from firing off.
And then there’s sleep apnea.
Talking to your dentist about yoursleep habitsas part of a thorough dental exam can be a total game-changer.
“Patients who don’t have space almost always clench your teeth.
When the tongue relaxes, what does it do?
It flaps back and covers your airway, and some people actually struggle to breathe in their sleep.”
She also says it’s powerful in helping them diagnose patients with airway issues.
It is a function of your temperament, your personality.
“The way I explain it, it’s like people whobite their nails,” says Huang.
It’s a subconscious habit.”
A night guard is often the first treatment option a dentist will offer for someone who grinds and clenches.
The guard will work like a shock absorber to help take the pressure off the teeth.
Botox is another popular treatment for clenching and grinding.
You may have heard of getting injections “for TMJ” which isn’t quite accurate.
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) affect the jaw muscles and temporomandibular joint (or TMJ).
Clenching and grinding don’t necessarily indicate you have TMD.
These injections are also rarely covered by insurance unless your policy covers Botox as a medical necessity.
“We’re talking about tiny doses, three times a year.
When done appropriately, and under guidance, you really don’t have to worry about too much.
“With that said, it generally lasts a little bit longer [than Botox in other areas].
She notes that Invisalign helps evenly distribute the force of your jaw.
In more serious cases, dental reconstruction may be needed.
“Teeth have cusps,” says Veytsman.
When those are flat from grinding, that causes more grinding.
