It is common for both children and adults to grind their teeth. Known as bruxism among dentists, is the process of clenching or grinding teeth together. Occasional Bruxism can happen without causing any problems. Regular and persistent teeth grinding, on the other hand, can create pain and discomfort in your jaw, as well as wear down your teeth. However, if you have chronic teeth grinding, you should visit a dentist immediately. This is because chronic teeth grinding is quite harmful.
Symptoms of Teeth Grinding
Most of the time teeth grinding happens in your sleep so it is difficult to be aware if you grind teeth in your sleep. The symptoms below can help you realize bruxism.
- Sore Jaw
- Headaches
- Pain in facial muscles (known as Facial myalgia)
- Disruption in sleep
- Shoulder strain and stiffness
- Earache
Symptoms Affecting Oral Health
- Inflammation of the gums or receding gums
- Teeth that are loose or sensitive
- You have difficulties opening your mouth
- Worn teeth, which can lead to small teeth, increased tooth sensitivity, and possibly tooth loss
It is crucial to remember that tooth wear happens primarily in severe cases of bruxism, and not everyone who grinds their teeth experiences tooth wear.
Causes of Teeth Grinding
Sleep Disorders
- Mumbling in your sleep
- Violent tendencies during sleep
- Sleep paralysis
Anxiety and Stress
- 70% of people with Bruxism grind their teeth due to stress and anxiety
- Teeth grinding from excessive work-related stress
Medication
- Certain types of prescribed drugs that affect your mood can lead to teeth grinding
Lifestyle
- Regular drinking habits in excess
- Smoking
- Drug abuse
- Excessive intake of caffeinated drinks
See a Dentist If:
- You suspect that you have been grinding your teeth
- Your teeth are worn, damaged and you don’t know why
- You have a sore jaw, face
- You have unexplainable headache and earache
- Your gum has become sensitive lately.
Treatment for Grinding Teeth
The majority of dental treatments need the use of a mouthguard. Fitting a mouthguard will assist alleviate teeth grinding by doing the following:
- Reduce the amount of pressure on the teeth
- Reduce the amount of pressure on the jaw bone.
- Avoid making contact in the mouth between the posterior and canine teeth.
- Prevent any damage from Bruxism
Using a mouth guard reduces the likelihood of teeth grinding becoming a problem while sleeping; it usually only takes around 15 to 20 minutes. Following the fitting, you will have a custom-made mouthguard that is ideally fitted to the contour of your teeth.
If you believe you are grinding your teeth, consult one of our dentists. They will examine your teeth and jaw for evidence of bruxism, assist you in determining the various causes, and recommend suitable treatment. They will be able to prescribe treatment to help you manage your issues. Prestigedentalcarefl.com can as well give you appropriate treatment for teeth grinding.
