Do you grind your teeth?
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is the involuntary habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, typically during sleep, though it can also occur when you’re awake. It can lead to tooth wear, jaw pain, headaches, and other dental issues. There are two main types:
Sleep Bruxism: Occurs during sleep and is more common. People often don’t realize they’re grinding their teeth until it’s pointed out by a dentist.
Awake Bruxism: Happens during the day, often when stressed or concentrating.
Common causes include:
- Stress or anxiety
- Misaligned teeth or bite
- Sleep disorders (e.g., sleep apnea)
- Excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption
- Medications (like certain antidepressants)
To manage it, treatment options may include:
- Wearing a mouth guard or splint to protect teeth during sleep.
- Address sleep disorders
- Identify any muscle dysfunction
- Managing stress through relaxation techniques.
- Correcting any dental issues, like misalignment.
- Avoiding caffeine or alcohol before bedtime.
Do you think stress might be a factor for you, or have you noticed other symptoms like headaches or jaw pain?
Teeth grinding can lead to complex dental problems, including gum disease and tooth loss. It is important to correctly diagnose the underlying cause of teeth grinding in order to properly treat bruxism. Temporomandibular disorder (TMD), commonly called TMJ, frequently goes unnoticed until it causes damage to your teeth or painful symptoms arise. Most patients grind their teeth during sleep and are unaware that they are doing so in many cases. Untreated bruxism can trigger TMD symptoms. It is often difficult to treat at this point due to the pain that patients feel in their jaw joint.
Dr. Thompson is a local Greeley dentist with advanced training in diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders. We work with patients individually to address all dental concerns and symptoms, identify the root cause, and create personalized treatment plans for lasting results.
Addressing teeth grinding as soon as possible is important and can help avoid permanent damage to the teeth and gums.
Why Do I Grind My Teeth?
There are several reasons for teeth grinding and jaw clenching, and identifying the root cause of your dental concerns is the key to the best possible outcome and improved long-term oral health. Dr. Thompson will evaluate all aspects of your occlusal system, including the teeth, gums, and jaw joints. The function and fit of your bite are important elements of your oral health and can contribute to a bite problem such as TMJ.
Common factors that can contribute to teeth grinding include:
Stress: Stress can often lead to tightening jaw muscles, jaw clenching, and teeth grinding. If this is the main cause of your concerns, changes in lifestyle habits and relaxation techniques may be the solution to your dental problem.
Malocclusion: Crooked teeth and structural abnormalities in the jaw can lead to teeth grinding. This is often because the teeth are not making proper contact when biting, and muscle tension is created in the jaw joints.
Sleep disorders: Airway obstructions trigger our subconscious to grind our lower jaw forward and side to side in order to help prop open our airway for better oxygen intake through our nose.
How is Teeth Grinding Treated?
There are several types of treatment options for patients who grind their teeth. Treatment for teeth grinding will vary from patient to patient, depending on the cause and condition of your oral health. Dr. Thompson will recommend appropriate dental treatment to repair any damage that may have occurred and to address your symptoms.
The most conservative treatment approach uses a custom mouthguard to reposition the jaw and minimize teeth grinding. Dr. Thompson will take the time with each patient to create a personalized therapy plan best suited to their dental health issues.
Splint therapy/night guard: this is a conservative treatment method worn at night to protect the teeth from grinding.
Orthodontics: Dr. Thompson may suggest using braces to align the teeth properly.
Bite equilibration: bite correction therapy will involve subtle adjustments to the teeth to restore balance in the bite.
Myofunctional therapy: exercise based therapy targeting any dysfunction with the tongue and facial muscles. Our hygienist, Adrianna Cockroft, is able to provide this service in house.
For more complex cases or situations where teeth are damaged, we may recommend a restorative procedure to bring the bite back into proper alignment and prevent teeth grinding and its effects. Resolving teeth grinding will improve your dental health and your daily quality of life if you have been suffering from discomfort or difficulty chewing. The goal of your treatment is to restore and maintain your oral health.
Teeth Grinding FAQs
It is vital to understand why teeth grinding occurs and what you can do about it. Here, we cover some of the most common questions people ask about teeth grinding. We hope you learn more about the causes, signs, and ways to protect your teeth. Knowing the facts can help you find the best solutions.
How can I tell if I’ve been grinding my teeth at night?
Most commonly, you’ll wake up with soreness and stiffness in your jaw. You may also notice that your jaw feels tired. If your jaw joint clicks or pops, it may be more prominent in the morning. You may wake up with headaches or tension throughout your jaw and neck. Significant tooth wear and enlarged jaw muscles may be present.
Why do I grind my teeth?
Many people grind their teeth overnight the most. In the past, it was believed to be a stress or anxiety response by your body. During the day, you may also have an unconscious reflex of clenching or grinding your teeth when concentrating or coping with something. With the leading research, we now know that it is most likely due to a tongue and facial muscle dysfunction. If the tongue and facial muscles do not have the correct tone and posture, it restricts the airway while we sleep. In response to this restriction, we grind the teeth forward, backward, and side-to-side to allow air through and under the tongue. Having a magnesium or calcium deficiency has also been found to be associated with teeth grinding.
What does teeth grinding sound like?
Similar to snoring, the person grinding their teeth probably doesn’t hear the sounds of it. It often makes squeaking and popping noises, and crunching, scraping, or chewing sounds.
What are the symptoms of teeth grinding?
Symptoms of teeth grinding include sore or tight jaw muscles, headaches, and pain around your ears. You might also notice worn-down, chipped, or sensitive teeth. Grinding can cause teeth to look flat or have cracks. Some people wake up with a sore face or tired jaw from clenching at night. You may hear a grinding sound if you grind your teeth while sleeping. If you have these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your dentist.
Can children experience teeth grinding?
Yes, children can experience teeth grinding, just like adults. It often happens during sleep, and some kids may not even know they’re doing it. Common signs include a grinding sound at night, sore jaws, or worn-down teeth. If your child is grinding their teeth at night it is often because they have an airway obstruction at night. The child should be evaluated for any sleep disorders further by a dentist who then may refer to a team of allied professionals that are airway conscious.
Does teeth grinding affect dental work?
Teeth grinding can potentially damage dental work such as crowns, veneers, or fillings. It’s important to address grinding to protect both natural teeth and dental restorations. We will suggest that you wear a nightguard especially if you have any type of dental restorations to protect their integrity.
How can I prevent teeth grinding?
To prevent teeth grinding, try reducing stress with calming activities before bed, like reading or deep breathing. We will suggest a mouth guard to wear at night to protect your teeth. You should also try avoiding caffeine and alcohol, as they can make grinding worse. Make sure you get enough sleep, as being tired can increase grinding. If you notice jaw pain, practice relaxing your jaw muscles throughout the day.