Special Report: The Nightly Grind

Dr. Paul Cogliano, D.M.D. Dentist
"Some people bite their fingernails, some people do other things. A lot of people grind their teeth."

It's estimated that nationwide. Twenty three million of us gnash and gnaw our teeth at night, a condition known as sleep bruxism.

Dr. Paul Cogliano
"I think today it's epidemic."

Larry Z. Lockerman, D.M.D. Dentist, Facial Pain Management
"In severe cases, you can see that the tooth is about half the size on some people because of wear and tear."

New England Medical Center Sleep Lab Technician
"This is a severe example of teeth grinding."

An EEG at New England Medical Center Sleep Lab captures brain waves of sleeping patients. The grinding causes the waves to spike violently.

Sleep Lab Technician
"This is by no means deep sleep. This is what keeps people from achieving deep sleep."

In some cases, the grinder isn't the only one suffering.

Kristen Newquist, Teeth Grinder
"My boyfriend at the time told me. It would wake him up every night. Then I noticed the pain that travels up through your temple region. Severe, severe joint pain."

The pressures of working towards a physical therapy degree were taking their toll on Kristen's teeth. At first, she decided she'd tackle the problem on her own. But generic mouth guards, worn by athletes, didn't stand a chance!

Kristen Newquist
"So, I tried it. Chewed right through them."

No surprise, when you consider the pressure.

Dr. Noshir Mehta, Tufts University Dentistry School
Two hundred and Forty pounds of force is a very huge person sitting on a tooth and it's going to cause some damage.

Damage, Flutist Peter Bloom can't afford!

Peter Bloom, Musician
"If I lose my teeth, I'm out of work. "

Peter, like Kristen, was fitted for a night guard.

Dr. Wayne Baker, D.M.D, Dentist
"When I first try it on it will probably feel sort of strange and new."

Unlike an athlete's mouth guard, the night guard is specialized. Precise fit, and precisely strong enough, to protect your teeth.

Dr. Wayne Baker
"What we're basically going to do today is we're going to fine tune the fit of it."

Other recommendations to help control the nightly grind: cut down on caffeine and nicotine, limit alcohol use and learn relaxation techniques to help minimize stress and anxiety.

Dr. Wayne Baker
"There's a real quality of life loss when people lose their teeth and unfortunately some people don't discover how much that loss is, until it's too late."

With the average life span on the rise, and stress on the rise too. We'll have to take precautions if want to hold on to our teeth that much longer!

Because sleep bruxism is not only the result of stress, but can be caused by other factors as well, it is important to have your teeth checked regularly by your dentist.

For more information visit the links below:

www.bostonsqualitydentists.com
Wayne M. Baker, D.M.D., P.C.
341 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA
617-437-1520

Sleep Health Centers
(877) 753-3742

Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
(724) 935-0836

American Association of Orofacial Pain
(856) 423-3629

Paul Cogliano, D.M.D
105 Atlantic Ave
Mercantile Building
Boston, MA
617-742-5560

Larry Z. Lockerman, D.D.S.
Head and Neck Pain
"TMJ" Disorders
Snoring and Sleep Apnea Disorders
1-800-259-0953