What To Know About Teeth Grinding From A Family Dentist.
Do You Experience Jaw Pain In The Morning?
It’s time to talk with your dentist. You could be grinding your teeth in your sleep and not even know it. Referred to as bruxism by dentists, teeth grinding can cause lasting damage and discomfort if not addressed quickly. If you wake up in the morning with jaw pain or fatigue, working with your dentist to identify the cause and develop a treatment plan will prevent further damage and get you on the road to recovery.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
We all have to chew our food, so some clenching and tooth contact throughout the day is normal. It becomes a problem when the grinding is repetitive and forceful, causing damage to your enamel and teeth. Although teeth grinding can happen while awake or asleep, it’s usually most harmful during sleep when clenching and grinding are involuntary. It’s most common in children; therefore, many experts believe teeth grinding is a condition that diminishes over time. Yet many adults go through periods of teeth grinding, and others grind their teeth continually throughout their lifetime. There’s no one cause for teeth grinding, but the usual culprits are improper alignment, stress, sleep disorders, and substance use.
Improper Alignment: Misalignment of your jaw and teeth can cause you to grind your teeth involuntarily as you bite or chew. This is the most common reason children may grind their teeth because their jaws are still developing.
Stress & Anxiety: The most common causes of teeth grinding in adults, stress and anxiety, can creep in when we least expect it—even while sleeping.
Sleep Disorders: Studies show that sleep apnea and snoring correlate with nighttime teeth grinding, although the connection between them is undetermined.
Substance Use: There is a link between certain anti-depressant medications and teeth grinding. Plus, the American Dental Association has determined that people who smoke or drink alcohol are twice as likely to grind their teeth than people who do not.
How Can My Dentist Help?
Grinding your teeth can cause severe damage. It can wear down the enamel, crack your teeth, increase sensitivity, and lead to further complications such as jaw pain, headaches, and tooth decay. Whether you’re waking up with a sore jaw or a family member observes nighttime teeth grinding, it’s important to talk with your dentist so they can assess the damage and help you find a solution.
Repair The Damage: Depending on the severity and extent of your teeth grinding, your dentist will recommend treatments to remedy any damage. It’s best to address the condition early, as some damage can be irreversible.
Find A Solution: Addressing the underlying cause of your teeth grinding is essential for recovery. If stress and anxiety are factors, identifying your triggers and finding ways to manage your stress levels can ease teeth grinding problems. For nighttime issues, your dentist may recommend sleeping with a mouth guard to prevent involuntary teeth grinding.
Are You Ready To Address Teeth Grinding?
No one looks forward to the dentist, but Angelopulos Dental prioritizes patient comfort over all else. A regular cleaning and exam will usually reveal signs of teeth grinding, but Dr. Angelopulos is equipped to treat more advanced bruxism cases using state-of-the-art technology. Let’s schedule your dentist appointment to address your teeth grinding today!