Dr. Raymond Hahn
In this week’s blog entry, I’d like to address an issue that lots
of my patients mention when they come in for their regular check-ups: “I’m under a lot of stress, and I think I’m grinding my teeth.”
While it’s true that some people may grind
their teeth (usually while sleeping), more people actually clench. As reference, our teeth should never touch
except while we’re eating. My own grinding habit during dental school (yes, a
stressful time!) reduced the length of my front teeth to the point that I had
to have veneers to restore them to their original length.
Grinding and clenching are both habitual, but have very different results. Grinders actually destroy tooth structure
creating shorter, chipped teeth, while clenchers can create chronic facial and
neck pain that can affect the temperomandibular joint (TMJ) and the neck and
shoulder muscles. Both groups can
benefit from custom-made nighttime oral appliances that keep the teeth
apart. Alternatively, changing the bite
relationship through orthodontic procedures like Invisalign can eliminate the
destructive habit.
Either way, a short evaluation by my team and I can quickly
determine if you have a problem, and give you options to prevent any further
damage. Just mention it the next time
you’re in for your regular check-up!
(415) 433-1970
311 California Street, Suite 450
San Francisco, CA 94104
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