Fraud Blocker

Teeth Grinding: Breaking The Habit

by | Jul 27, 2018 | Blog

If you often wake up with a headache, sore jaw or achy teeth, you may have a condition known as bruxism. Bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, often occurs during nighttime sleep, but some people also absent-mindedly grind their teeth during the day. Unfortunately, most cases of teeth grinding are involuntary and occur without the person realizing he or she is doing it, which is why treatment to manage this destructive oral habit is so important. If you think you grind your teeth, talk to Zen Triangle Dentistry about treatment options. Early treatment is essential to prevent tooth damage, discomfort and other serious complications.

Harmful Effects of Bruxism

Over time, chronic teeth grinding inflicts a large amount of pressure on your teeth and can produce a wide range of dental damage and discomfort that includes:

  • Serious enamel wear, causing sensitivity to heat and cold
  • Loose teeth
  • Small cracks and broken fillings, which can lead to nerve damage
  • Gum recession, due to pressure on the gum line
  • Aggravated jaw joint disorders including persistent headache, facial pain and aching or swollen jaws due to overuse of muscles

Treatment for Teeth Grinding

The first step to treat teeth grinding is to visit your dentist. At Zen Triangle Dentistry, we will examine your teeth and the muscles in and around your jaw. An inspection of your teeth and bite alignment will also give clues about your grinding behavior so that we can prescribe the best treatment to alleviate your bruxism symptoms. For some people, teeth grinding is brought on by elevated stress and anxiety. Patients who grind their teeth as a result of stress may benefit from strategies to help relax the body, which in turn can reduce grinding. Other patients may grind their teeth as result of dental problems. In these cases, correcting the tooth alignment can help reduce the grinding behavior. Mouth guards or bite splints are popular devices used by dentists to ease symptoms of teeth grinding. These devices are typically worn at night over your top and bottom teeth to relieve pressure on the jaw joint and protect your teeth from damage.

Get Help for Your Teeth Grinding Today

If you grind your teeth, you’re not alone. Talk to Dr. Vaghani about the best treatment options for you. Early treatment for teeth grinding can help you avoid more extensive and expensive problems with your teeth in the future.