Causes and Treatments for Teeth Grinding

It is common for people to occasionally clench or grind their teeth, typically when the person is experiencing a stressful situation. But, this habit can turn into bigger dental problems if the grinding and clenching continue over time, because it can possibly lead to tooth damage and other types of dental complications. If you are experiencing teeth grinding, then the best thing that you can do is talk with a dentist to learn more about treatments that can alleviate the stress on your teeth.

Why are You Grinding Your Teeth?

Many times, teeth grinding happens when a person is stressed or anxious about something. Typically, the grinding happens at night when the person is asleep and unaware that the clenching or grinding is happening.

There are times when the clenching and grinding might be impacted by crooked teeth or an uneven bite. Or, this dental condition also might be caused by other health problems such as sleep apnea.

Symptoms of Teeth Grinding

Even if you don’t notice that you are grinding or clenching your teeth when you are asleep, there are several symptoms that might indicate that you have this problem. These are some of the common symptoms of teeth grinding:

• Jaw pain
• Jaw tension
• Headaches
• Worn down teeth
• Cracked or damaged teeth

If you have any of these symptoms or someone has told you that they can hear you grinding your teeth while you sleep, then it is important that you contact us right away to learn more about the teeth grinding treatments that can be used.

Tooth Grinding Treatments

Delaying your appointment and procrastinating treatment can lead to a number of dental problems, including broken teeth and even loss of teeth. But, you can prevent these bigger problems by seeking treatment right away.

The most common type of treatment is a mouth guard that can be worn while you are asleep, which protects your teeth and helps your jaw to relax. It is also important to take a proactive approach to reduce the amount of stress that you are experiencing. Many people find that stress reduction strategies are beneficial to decrease the symptoms of teeth grinding.