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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou'll likely start by first seeing your dentist, though you also may see a family doctor or general practitioner if your dentist feels it's necessary. In some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a sleep specialist.
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well-prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance. For instance, if you have been seen for bruxism-related problems in the past, records of what was identified and what treatment you received may be helpful to have with you.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements that you're taking.
- Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with the doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. For bruxism, some basic questions to ask your doctor or dentist include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
- Are there other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
- What kinds of tests do I need?
- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
- What is the best course of action?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
- I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Are there any restrictions I need to follow?
- Should I see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor or dentist, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor or dentist
Your doctor or dentist is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on later. He or she may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous, or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to worsen your symptoms?
What you can do in the meantime
Take steps to reduce stress in your life and avoid the triggers that cause anxiety for you. Even if the cause of your bruxism is unknown, reducing stress is good for your general health.
- What is bruxism? Academy of General Dentistry. http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=w&iid=292&aid=1137. Accessed Feb. 19, 2009.
- ADA Division of Communications. For the dental patient...do you grind your teeth? Journal of the American Dental Association. 2005;136:559.
- Lobbezoo F. Principles for the management of bruxism. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 2008;35:509.
- Huynh N. Weighing the potential effectiveness of various treatments for sleep bruxism. Journal of the Canadian Dental Association. 2007;73:727.
- Policy on oral habits. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Policy on oral habits. Chicago, IL.: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. http://www.aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/P_OralHabits.pdf#xml=http://pr-dtsearch001.americaneagle.com/service/search.asp?cmd=pdfhits&DocId=58&Index=F%3a%5cdtSearch%5caapd%2eorg&HitCount=12&hits=46+5f+ac+f8+104+109+28d+2fc+315+32c+38e+3a3+&hc=49&req=bruxism. Accessed March 10, 2009.
- Aloe F. Sleep bruxism treatment. Sleep Science. 2009;2:49.
- Lavigne GJ, et al. Sleep bruxism. In: Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.:Elsevier Saunders; 2005:946.
- Lavigne GJ, et al. Bruxism physiology and pathology: An overview for clinicians. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 2008;35:476.
- Klasser GD, et al. Oral appliances in the management of temporomandibular disorders. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics. 2009;107(2):214.
