Recent studies have shown a link between nighttime tooth grinding and headaches. For people who grind or clench, the muscles that open and close the jaw can become painful from overuse, causing a range of symptoms from tension to migraine headaches. Fortunately, headaches sufferers may now find relief with the use of a nighttime bite splint (nightguard).

Dentistry has traditionally focused on the premature tooth wear cause by grinding and clenching. As many as one third of the U.S. population wear their teeth significantly more than normal. These "grinder" can develop sensitivity to temperature and certain foods, and their teeth become more prone to fractures. For most people, this wear will not be visually evident until later in life when many end up needing dental work to restore teeth to their original function.

Bruxing (grinding) or clenching teeth is defined as abnormal tooth contact. Ordinarily, teeth are in contact while eating and swallowing, only about 10 to 15 minutes on a daily basis. People who grind or clench their teeth during the day, or while sleeping, can have their teeth in heavy contact for as much as six hours a day!
This is why researchers say that one night of grinding is equivalent to 80 days of normal wear on the teeth. The American Dental Association estimates that 95% of the American population suffers from a grinding or clenching condition at some point in their lives. Some people may do so much damage to their front teeth that they appear to have no teeth at all when they smile. When the teeth are severely worn down, the vertical height between the upper and lower jaw is reduced. Wrinkles appear around the lips and cheeks as a result of the jaws coming closer together. Porcelain restorations an renew a smile that has been damaged by clenching or grinding. However, if the condition is diagnosed early enough, the inevitable destruction of the teeth can be slowed, or prevented completely by use of a bite splint or nightguard.

A bite splint is a hard or soft appliance that fits onto your teeth and keeps them from coming in contact with each other if you grind or clench, thereby preventing tooth damage. On of the advantages of wearing a bite splint is that the treatment is completely reversible since it can be removed from the mouth at any time. No other treatment protects the teeth during grinding or clenching as well, or as inexpensively as a bite splint.

Have us check your teeth for the signs of clenching and grinding. There may be a premature wearing of enamel that causes the underlying layer of tooth (dentin) to be exposed. Another sing of grinding is an abfraction lesion. Check for these small v-shaped notches by running your finger across the gum line on the cheek sides of your teeth. They should be restored with bonding material. With our help, and the help of a bite splint, you can look forward to giving up your grinding headache!

Ancient teeth, with small perfectly round holes in the occlusal or biting surface may be the earliest archaeological evidence of prehistoric dentistry. The April 14, 2001 New Scientist, reports that researchers believe a stone bit was used to drill through the teeth, as holes of the exact same diameter were found in beads made for jewelry 8 to 9,000 years ago. Scientist speculate that the holes had been filled with plant matter to treat tooth decay. The treatment was apparently successful as the rounding of one hold shows that the molar continued to be used for chewing and both molars were still in their respective jaws.