Bruxism is a condition in which you clench and/or grind your teeth. This can occur during the day but quite often occurs at night. Sometimes patients aren’t even aware that they are doing this. A bed partner may be awakened by the noise. Some other signs of grinding and clenching that the patient may notice are headaches, earaches, facial pain, jaw popping, chipped, worn, or flattened teeth, teeth that are hypersensitive to cold and brushing, and loose teeth.

Some common causes of bruxism are stress and tension, malalignment of the teeth, types of foods eaten, and habits such as gum chewing.

There are several things that can help alleviate the discoforts of bruxism. Warm moist heat on the muscles in front of the ears, relaxation techniques, massage, eliminate stress if possible, avoid hard and chewy food such as bagels, and reduce gum chewing.

Make sure to visit your dentist. Chipped teeth need to be repaired. Sometimes a muscle relaxer can be prescribed. A splint can be fabricated, which is a plastic device that is worn over the teeth to protect them and to take the pressure off the jaw muscles. Sometimes orthodontia is needed to move the teeth into better alignment. If you suspect you are grinding or clenching be sure to see your dentist for advice.

Sealants are a thin plastic or resin coating that is applied to the grooves of the chewing surfaces of teeth. The sealants keep food particles and bacteria from collecting in the grooves. Typically they are placed on adult molars soon after they erupt, around ages 6 – 12.

The process is easy and painless. First the tooth is cleaned thoroughly. A special gel is applied to the tooth for a few seconds, then rinsed and dried. Next the sealant material is applied to the tooth, and a light is shined on the tooth to harden the material. The sealants are usually clear or tooth colored. There is no discomfort, drilling, or anesthetic involved with sealants.

The average sealant lasts 5 – 10 years and can be reapplied when it starts to break down. They should be a part of every child’s preventative dental health program.

A dental dam is a square piece of latex (or latex-free) rubber. It is placed over a patient’s mouth and has holes punched in it to allow the teeth to stick out through the holes. A metal clamp secures the dam on the teeth.

The purpose of the dam is to isolate the tooth being worked on. It allows the area to remain dry and prevents contamination from bacteria in saliva and blood. The newer composite (tooth colored) fillings require that the bonding agent be applied in a dry environment for maximum bonding. The dam also protects the patient from swallowing or aspirating any foreign objects, pieces of filling, etc.

Fillings usually can be done in a shorter period of time with a dam in place because the tongue, lips, and cheeks are retracted. It is mandatory that rubber dams are used when any endodontic (root canal) procedure is done.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or give us a call!