Clenching and grinding are very common, it is also known as bruxism. Bruxism wears down the surface of your teeth and sets you up for cavities and tooth fractures, it can also cause vague muscle pain in your face and cause headaches of unknown origin. Severe cases can even contribute to tooth loss.
What Causes Bruxism?
Many factors can combine to create a bruxism habit. Stress and anxiety are believed to be leading causes, as are a misaligned bite, missing teeth, and sleep abnormalities. Some medications can also trigger episodes, as can neurological or musculature illnesses.
Why Should I Be Concerned About Teeth Grinding? Isn’t It Normal?
Teeth grinding may be common, but it’s not normal because the stresses of bruxism affect the entire jaw, this pressure can create cracks and chips in teeth, and over time can contribute to a shortening of lower face height due to bone loss.
How Do I Know I Have a Problem, and What Treatments Are Available?
In many cases, we will see evidence of bruxism in your x-rays, and on the surface of your teeth, and we will alert you to the problem long before you exhibit a single symptom – particularly if you sleep alone. Occasionally, however, you may start to clench and grind in between visits and begin to notice symptoms on your own. If that’s more like your situation, and you find that you often wake with a sore jaw, a headache that goes away shortly after rising, or if a loved one tells you your teeth are making clickity-clackity noises all night, mention it the next time you’re in our office.
As far as treatment goes, because the causes of bruxism are varied, the treatments vary as well. If we can determine stress is the primary cause, then we may recommend you abstain from excessive caffeine and alcohol, and attempt some form of daily relaxation. Even something as simple as a warm bath before sleeping can work wonders. If your bite is a concern, then we may suggest you have an orthodontic evaluation, and if prescription medicine or neuromuscular illnesses are believed to be the cause, referral to the appropriate specialist would be part of your plan to break the habit.
In each of these cases, though, your dentist and/or physician will likely recommend a splint, or occlusal mouth guard to protect your teeth and bone from further damage. These protective devices are easy to wear, and contrary to what you may believe, will not impede your ability to get a good night’s sleep. In fact, they tend to enhance the quality of your sleep so you’ll wake up more refreshed.
Many people go years without being aware they’re clenching and grinding since it takes time for symptoms to show in your mouth. Getting a mouthguard or splint once you know you have this habit, though, will help you with headaches and muscle pain now – and tooth trouble down the road.
Last Update: Aug 03, 2017 8:35 am CDT
