Bruxism & Teeth Grinding in Harrisonburg, VA

The safety, health and well-being of our mutual patients has always been our top priority. Whether this is through the care we provide or the environment of our surgical facilities. Our internal policies and procedures have always exceeded federally mandated guidelines to protect our patients and staff. Our commitment to provide your patients the safest care throughout this evolving situation is not something we take lightly.

We always have and will continue to go above and beyond to ensure that we are exceeding the highest standard of care and customer service.

Here are a few extra precautions that we are taking, but not limited to:

• Monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization.

• Following the news related to local conditions on an hourly basis.

• Increasing the frequency of our sanitation practices inside and outside our surgical facilities.

• Wiping down our waiting rooms, chairs, counters and door handles hourly.

• Providing additional hand sanitizer to patients.

• Allowing our patients to wait in their cars or outside our office and notifying them when we are ready for their appointment.

We are also asking our patients a few questions to help mitigate any potential exposures. These questions are:

• If you are a patient who has traveled outside the US within the last month

• Had contact with someone who traveled outside the US and was/is now sick

• Had contact with someone who was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus or the flu

• Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms: Temperature, Active Cough or Trouble Breathing

If you answer yes, our doctor will be informed and will take appropriate action to protect patients and staff.

Sincerely,

The Doctors and Staff at SVII

Why do I grind my teeth?

The cause of bruxism is still unknown. Doctors for TMJ are working to find the causative agent. However, it is believed that increased stress and anxiety can greatly affect how often and how severely you grind your teeth. Having an abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth are also thought to contribute to teeth grinding.

Why is bruxism bad?

Occasional bruxism may not result in damage to the teeth or jaw. However, chronic teeth grinding can cause serious dental issues. In some cases, grinding can result in tooth fracture, loosening of teeth, or the loss of teeth. Grinding over years without treatment can wear the teeth down to stumps, exposing the second layer of tooth structure which will require bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, or possibly even dentures to repair, if the teeth cannot be saved. Not only is bruxism bad for your teeth, it is also damaging to the jaw. Teeth grinding can result in hearing loss, change the appearance of your face, TMD (temporomandibular disorder), chronic pain, headaches, and sore muscles. A doctor for TMJ can determine if your grinding habits are causing TMD.

Bruxism/Teeth Grinding in Harrisonburg & Winchester, VA

What can I do to stop grinding my teeth?

Being fitted for an occlusal or night guard by a doctor for TMJ will help to protect your teeth from the effects of grinding while you sleep. However, in order to cease teeth grinding completely, it is important to treat the triggers for why you grind your teeth. If stress is causing your bruxism, ask your doctor or doctor for TMJ about stress reduction techniques and options. Exercise, stress counseling, or prescription muscle relaxers may help reduce how often or severely you grind your teeth.

Other tips to help reduce teeth grinding include:

• Cut back or eliminate foods that contain caffeine from your diet. This includes coffee, soda, tea, and chocolate. •Avoid alcohol. Alcohol tends to increase the severity and frequency of bruxism. •Avoid parafunctional habits, meaning do not chew on anything that is not food. This includes gum, pencils, or pens. Constantly chewing conditions your jaw muscles to stay clenched and makes you more likely to grind your teeth. •Pay attention to your mouth. If you notice that you grind or clench your teeth during the day, train yourself to relax. Position the tip of your tongue between your front teeth to make it harder to clench or grind your teeth. •Relax your jaw before bed. Using a warm washcloth on the face at night will help relax the jaw prior to sleep. Position it on your cheek in front of your earlobe to get maximum results. Bruxism can have significant effects on your teeth, TMJ, and overall quality of life. If you think that you may have a habit of teeth grinding, contact your doctor for TMJ today for a consultation.