Teeth Grinding

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Are You Constantly Grinding Your Teeth?

TMJ-related teeth grinding, also known as TMJ bruxism, refers to the habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, often involuntarily, especially during sleep, due to issues with the temporomandibular joint. Several factors can contribute to TMJ-related teeth grinding:

Stress and Anxiety: Emotional stress and anxiety can lead to teeth grinding, as the body’s response to stress can cause muscle tension in the jaw and face.

Misaligned Bite: If your teeth don’t come together properly when you bite down, it can create discomfort in the jaw joint, leading to grinding or clenching.

Sleep Disorders: Certain sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, can increase the likelihood of teeth grinding during sleep.

Medical Conditions: Conditions like Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease can result in involuntary muscle movements, including teeth grinding.

Medications and Substances: Some medications and substances, like certain antidepressants or stimulants, can contribute to teeth grinding as a side effect.

Lifestyle Factors: Consuming caffeine, alcohol, or using tobacco products can sometimes exacerbate teeth grinding.

Malocclusions: Dental issues like crooked teeth or an uneven bite can increase the risk of grinding due to the extra pressure on the jaw joints.

TMJ-related teeth grinding can cause various symptoms and complications, including jaw pain, headaches, earaches, and damaged teeth. It’s essential to address the underlying causes and manage the condition to prevent further discomfort and dental problems. A dentist or oral health professional can diagnose and provide treatment options based on the specific factors contributing to your bruxism. These might include stress management techniques, relaxation exercises, dental splints or a TMJ mouth guard to protect teeth, physical therapy, and in some cases, dental procedures to correct misalignments or other dental issues.

We Can Assist With Your TMJ Bruxism

The TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of San Diego offers specialized expertise and comprehensive solutions for individuals struggling with teeth grinding. Through a holistic approach, our dedicated team assesses each patient’s unique condition to determine the underlying causes of the issue. By combining advanced diagnostics with personalized treatment plans, our centre addresses factors such as stress, misaligned bite, and sleep disorders that contribute to teeth grinding.

With a range of interventions including custom-designed oral appliances, behavioral therapies, and collaborative efforts with sleep specialists, we aim to alleviate discomfort, prevent dental damage, and promote overall well-being. The centre’s commitment to ongoing monitoring and patient education ensures that individuals receive effective, tailored care to manage their teeth grinding concerns effectively and achieve a better quality of sleep and oral health.

Learn more about what our patients have to say

about the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of San Diego

    
 
 
        
   jody riley 
 2024-01-25
 
 
  Excellent care!! !!!I feel so much better !!
Thank you!!!
  
 
       
   Mary Prendergast 
 2024-01-17
 
 
  I have been seeing the specialists at La Mesa's TMJ Centre since the mid-1990s when my dentist referred me to Dr. Smith.  I am utterly please with the care.  My headaches, jaw pain have majorly improved.  I feel comfortable and  confident in  their care and am faithful wearing my appliances.  Dr. Smith has retired and the new doctor has the same caring attitude.
  
 
       
   Brittany Gasner 
 2024-01-09
 
 
  Such a beautiful office, comforting, always welcomed with smiling faces. LOVE coming in weekly for my tmj therapy with Kylee, she is so knowledgeable and listens to my needs as a patient. Great team here! Thanks Dr.Brad and crew!
  
 
       
   Renee Wilkinson 
 2024-01-06
 
 
  Wonderful staff. Clean and stylish lobby with very knowledgeable team. Genuinely cares for their patients and anyone that is there to consult with a professional on their issues.

Victoria was exceptional and the doctor made me feel comfortable as I have high anxiety going to dentists/doctors.
  
 
       
   Andrew Cross, II 
 2023-11-10
 
 
  TMJ is always friendly and very helpful. They are more concerned about “YOU” as a patient and your health, than getting you in and out quickly!
  
 
       
   Barbara Blaney 
 2023-11-10
 
 
  Doctors are smart, respectful and actually listen to patient needs. Supported by an amazing team of women, from the front desk to behind the scenes, who deal with patients in a kind,considerate way that is not often found at most dr's offices today.
  
 
       
   Anthony Delgado 
 2023-10-30
 
 
  I recently went thru treatment for some jaw pain and popping, and had great results! I didn't have a referral at first but I was looking around online to see if I could find a professional to check out the problems I was having. You start off with a consultation and go thru several exams and testing which I felt were comprehensive and convinced me to pursue the 3 month treatment. The downside is that insurance may not cover the visits and treatment regiment, but it was definitely worth the money. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for TMJ treatment. The staff and doctor are also very friendly and knowledgeable
  
 
       
   m s 
 2023-10-14
 
 
  Dr Sainsbury, Victoria, THANK YOU! As a fellow colleague who found herself in urgent need of help with her child, I cannot express enough gratitude or say enough about this office's mission and compassion! Although Dr Sainsbury doesn't usually see patients on Fridays, after Victoria relayed my story to him, he offered to come to the office to see my child and help in any way he could. And that he did! Dr Sainsbury was personable, clearly very knowledgeable and clear on his diagnosis and recommendations. He helped put my teen at ease immediately. Although in this case the diagnosis did not fall squarely into the TMJ realm, the attitude was not one of "sorry can't help you, bye" as is a little too often in healthcare. Dr Sainsbury clearly had a deep understanding of not only his field but the associated fields. He was sympathetic and offered pain relief services as well as take home products, self care advice and suggestions as to next steps. Everything a patient in pain (or parent of one!)  would hope to find in their treating clinician! Willing and able to help! Thank you!
  
 
  
  
 
 
   Google rating score: 4.5 of 5, based on 51 reviews