Teeth Grinding – Why Do We Do It and How Do We Stop It
What Is Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a condition that causes you to clench or rub your teeth back and forth on each other. This sometimes happens during the daytime but a majority of patients experience symptoms while they sleep. Patients often do not even realize they are grinding their teeth until a dentist sees the wear on your teeth or their bed partner recognizes noises during the night.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
There could be one or more reasons that patients grind their teeth at night.
- Sleep apnea
- Having family members that also clench their jaw or grind their teeth
- Having mental health or other sleep disorders
- Having a hyperactive personality
- Feeling overly stressed
- Certain medications
- Certain drugs, including tobacco and caffeine
Common Signs You Are Grinding Your Teeth
If you’re unsure if you are grinding your teeth there are some warning signs and symptoms to look out for.
- Jaw pain
- Tooth pain and sensitivity
- Worn tooth enamel
- Flat looking or feeling teeth
- Chipped, loose or fractured teeth
- Hearing tooth-on-tooth tapping at night
- Damage to the inside of your cheeks
- Headaches or temple pain, especially in the morning
- Waking up in the middle of the night
How To Treat Bruxism
If you have teeth grinding symptoms or pain, you can visit a dentist for treatment. During your visit, they will evaluate the damage that has been done both above and below the surface. They will also ask you questions to determine what could be the cause of the teeth grinding. With all of this information, you and your dentist can come up with a customized treatment plan that best suits you. Treatment options often include:
- Dental mouthguard
- Stress management
- Mouth and jaw position therapy
- Botox
Do I Need a Dental Mouthguard?
Many dentists recommend a mouth guard to treat bruxism. This can be a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other methods. The benefit of dental mouthguards is they prevent further damage and provide a protective layer between your teeth.
Complications From Teeth Grinding
Bruxism can impact the look and feel of your smile as well as your overall oral health. Patients that do not seek treatment can be impacted in other ways.
- Teeth damage
- Tension headaches
- Facial pain
- Jaw aching and clicking
- Misaligned jaw
- Earaches
- TMJ/TMD
Stop the Teeth Grinding with Dental365 Today!
You can visit any of our Dental365 locations in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island if you think you grind your teeth. Our expert dentists would be happy to talk about all of your treatment options. Contact us at (844) 365-DENTAL for more information or to schedule an appointment.
