Are you a teeth grinder? Studies revealed that more than 10% of adults habitually clench their teeth. It is also called bruxism and can cause serious damage and discomfort as it cracks your teeth, causes headaches and results in jaw pain. Bruxism is grinding or clenching of the teeth unintentionally several times during sleep.
Just like snoring, teeth grinding bothers family members who sleep near you as the sound made at night are so irritating and disturbing one’s slumber. Some children also grind their teeth during early ages but the habit is gone by the time they enter into adult stage. Tooth grinding can have many causes: by stress and anxiety, an abnormal bite or crooked or missing teeth and by a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.
Chronic teeth grinding has been proven to be harmful for it can fracture, loosen or even lose your teeth. By constant grinding, teeth are eroded down to stumps. This damage might require bridges, crowns, implants, & even dentures. Your jaw pain may cause or worsen temporomandibular joint (TMD) and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and even change the appearance of your face.
Most people do not know they are grinding their teeth during sleep; however, when they wake up, they feel a muted continuing headache or aching jaw that is an evident sign of bruxism. Many are told by their loved ones that they clench their teeth at night while they sleep.
If bruxism is mild enough, you don’t need professional treatment. But a more serious form of teeth grinding needs professional care so you should consult a dental provider. The dentist will inspect your mouth and jaw for any clue of bruxism, like severe abrasion of the teeth and soreness of the jaw. A mouth guard can be fitted in your mouth to protect your teeth from grinding during sleep.
If you or your child is a teeth grinder, visit our Bayonne dentist office for a consultation about the potential causes and solutions. Dr. Doria and our dental team are ready to help solve any bruxism problem for you and your family. Just contact his Bayonne, NJ office to schedule an appointment.
