Teeth grinding or clenching is something that many people experience. Sometimes, it can become a chronic and frequent problem that will require treatment. Formerly known as Bruxism, the effects can become serious to your oral health if it continues.
How Do You Grind Your Teeth?
When you grind your teeth, you consciously or unconsciously clench your teeth together, causing wear and tear. This can progressively get worse and eventually wear down your enamel, introducing more bacteria and dangers of periodontal disease. Click here to learn how to prevent it.
The physical dangers of teeth grinding include tooth fractures, headaches, temporomandibular disorders (TMJ), jaw muscle issues and restricting overall mouth functioning.
Do Your Teeth Grind When You’re Stressed?
You can clench and grind your teeth together during the day when you’re stressed. This is known as Awake Bruxism. This condition is usually tied to emotional issues that can lead to feeling stress and anxiety. There isn’t specific treatment available for this, but stress management and techniques to reduce emotional thoughts will assist in improving your emotional wellbeing and, subsequently, reduce grinding your teeth.
What Are The Other Types Of Bruxism?
The other form of Bruxism is called Sleep Bruxism. Sleep Bruxism is a condition where you grind and clench your teeth during sleep. This happens unconsciously, meaning you’re not aware that you’re grinding your teeth. A common cause of this due to obstructive sleep apnea. Another thing to realise is that you won’t know how much pressure is being applied to the jaw when sleeping. Eventually, this can cause TMJ disorder and worn down teeth.
How Can You Stop Teeth Grinding?
There are many methods to practice to stop teeth grinding. Below outlines what you can try today:
- Stress Management – Techniques such as meditation and looking after your emotional wellbeing can limit the stress you’re experiencing. Stress can also be reduced through regular exercise.
- Therapy – Talk about any of your problems with a professional to help you reduce your stress and depict the thoughts that are causing it.
- Mouthguard – Wearing a dental mouthguard can help reduce the effects of teeth grinding during sleep and place a gap between the jaw muscles to avoid the teeth contracting together.
If you grind your teeth regularly and are seeking a resolution, we can help you locate your local dentist and get the help you need. Click here to contact us today!
