Teeth grinding, medically known as bruxism is not uncommon. When people grind or clench their teeth occasionally this will not usually harm their teeth. However, when a person chronically grinds their teeth it can damage their teeth and cause them other problems. Teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety. More often, it occurs during sleep. More often than not it is caused by an abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth. It can also be caused by a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.
Signs of Grinding Your Teeth
Since grinding of teeth often occurs during sleep, many people are unaware that they are doing it. Some people grind and/or clench their teeth when under stressful situations. Again, they might not even be aware that they are doing it if it has been a habit for a long time. Here are some signs of possible teeth grinding:
- Sore jaw. Your jaw muscles tighten when you grind or clench your teeth. If you do this repeatedly when you sleep you may wake up with a sore jaw
- Headaches. The pain from your jaw created by the clenching then travels to other places in the skull, causing headaches or, in severe cases, migraines.
- Complaints from your Partner. Your partner hears you grind. Some grinding can be loud enough to wake your partner.
- Tooth sensitivity or pain. Bruxism can be a cause of aching teeth. However, aching teeth can have different causes such as tooth decay. So contact your dentist as soon as possible if you are experiencing sensitive or aching teeth.
Damage Caused by Teeth Grinding
Chronic teeth grinding can result in fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. When severe damage to teeth is caused from bruxism, bridges, crowns, root canals or implants will likely be needed to repair the damaged teeth. Additionally, bruxism can cause damage to fillings and crowns causing you the expense of getting them replaced.
What Can I Do to Stop Grinding My Teeth?
Mouth Guards
Mouth guards are one of the best and simplest solutions to preventing teeth grinding. We can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth at night while you sleep. Mouth guards can also be designed so you can wear them during the day, for example: when you are driving.
Additional Tips:
- Avoid or cut back on foods and drinks that contain caffeine – colas, chocolate, and coffee.
- Avoid alcohol. Alcohol consumption tends to increase grinding.
- Do not chew on pencils or pens or anything that is not food. Avoid chewing gum as it allows your jaw muscles to get more used to clenching and makes you more likely to grind your teeth.
- Train yourself not to clench or grind your teeth. If you notice that you clench or grind during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This practice trains your jaw muscles to relax.
So, don’t ignore possible signs of bruxism. If you suspect you may be suffering from bruxism contact us at as soon as possible and make an appointment for an examination. We can examine your teeth, look for signs of bruxism and check for any other problems such as crooked teeth or an incorrect bite. This can save you a lot of heartache and cost from getting damaged teeth from teeth grinding.
Sincerely,
Dr. Susan Bracker, D.D.S
Rochester, New York