Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can damage your teeth and strain your jaw. Our team in St. Louis specializes in TMJ-focused treatment options to relieve grinding, protect your bite, and reduce related pain or sleep disturbances.Why Teeth Grinding Is More Than a Bad Habit
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is often brushed off as a harmless habit, but it can have serious consequences for your jaw, teeth, and overall well-being. Chronic grinding—especially at night—can wear down enamel, cause dental fractures, create muscle pain, and lead to jaw joint inflammation. For many patients, this grinding is closely tied to TMJ dysfunction, where misalignment or tension in the jaw joint leads to unconscious clenching and grinding.
At the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of St. Louis, we look beyond your symptoms to identify the underlying reason for your bruxism. Using specialized assessments, we evaluate how your jaw function, bite alignment, muscle patterns, and even airway health contribute to the issue. With this comprehensive approach, we can treat not just the effects, but the root cause of your teeth grinding.
Customized Bruxism Solutions That Protect Your Smile
Effective treatment for bruxism starts with protecting your teeth, but it doesn’t end there. We offer custom oral appliances—also known as nightguards or orthotics—that prevent tooth-to-tooth contact and guide your jaw into a more relaxed, natural position during sleep. These devices not only prevent further damage, but also help reduce the muscle tension that fuels nighttime grinding.
For patients with more complex cases, we may also incorporate myofunctional therapy, TMJ-specific laser treatment, or posture and breathing assessments to provide a holistic care plan. With a personalized approach, our goal is to restore comfort, protect your teeth, and improve sleep quality—giving you lasting relief from the pain and damage of chronic teeth grinding.
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