Concluding your night with sore teeth and a tight feeling in the jaw can cost you some extra minutes of feel-good the next morning. If you are the type who goes to bed with soft foods drenching your mouth only to wake up with incisor pain, it could be a bodily fact that you do not know of—bruxism or teeth grinding. Thankfully, the condition is often unconscious, as most sufferers are. Consulting a Fairhope dentist can help with this.

In this article, we will outline the underlying factors, impacts, and available solutions to the issue of teeth grinding to enable the audience to put it into perspective concerning their overall health, particularly oral hygiene.

What is bruxism?

Bruxism means grinding the teeth. It can happen unconsciously, due to everyday stress, or during frustrating circumstances, and it is considered completely natural. Most of the time, as sleep grinding, is linked with the most regular form of this issue (the majority of people’s bruxism effects tend to be children and adults only), if undetected for the most part, it can quite easily go unnoticed – unless a sleep buddy or nasty dentist tells you so!

Causes of Teeth Grinding

1) Stress and Anxiety:

In today’s fast-paced world, stress is nearly unavoidable. Whether it’s work pressure, relationship issues, or daily worries, stress is a major contributor to bruxism. Stress and tension can direct muscle strain and jaw clenching, especially during sleep resulting in the practice of bruxism. Engaging in stress-relieving activities like exercise, meditation, or listening to music can reduce the hazard of teeth grinding.

2) Misaligned Teeth:

If your teeth are misaligned, they may not meet properly when you close your mouth, leading to discomfort in your jaw and increased grinding. This misalignment, known as malocclusion, can be corrected with dental treatments, but if not addressed, it may contribute to bruxism.

Symptoms of Teeth Grinding

Since bruxism usually occurs during sleep, it’s often difficult to recognize the symptoms until they start affecting oral health.

• Flattened, chipped, or loose teeth
• Worn tooth enamel
• Tooth pain or sensitivity
• Tight jaw muscles or jaw pain
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
• Pain in the face, neck, or ears
• Dull headaches, especially around the temples
• Chewing on the inside of your cheeks

Teeth Grinding Treatment

The first step in addressing bruxism is identifying the root cause. Depending on the cause, here are a few common treatments:

• Mouth Guards: One of the most common treatments for teeth grinding is wearing a mouthguard at night. A dentist can provide a custom-fit mouth guard to protect your teeth from the pressure caused by grinding. These devices are made from durable materials, often plastic, and can prevent further damage to your teeth while you sleep.
• Dental Corrections: Dental corrections such as braces may be recommended if your bruxism is caused by misalignment or other bite issues. Although no conclusive evidence exists that braces directly reduce bruxism, correcting a misaligned bite can help improve overall jaw function, potentially reducing grinding.
• Medications: In some cases, your dentist or healthcare provider may recommend medication to relax your muscles or address anxiety that may be contributing to bruxism. Muscle relaxants or antidepressants can be used, but they should only be prescribed by a professional.

Conclusion

If you wake up with pain in your jaw or frequent headaches, you may be dealing with bruxism, even if you don’t remember grinding your teeth at night. To get to the bottom of your symptoms and find an effective treatment plan, visit your Fairhope dentist for an evaluation. They will help you identify the cause of your bruxism and recommend the best options for protecting your teeth. Don’t let teeth grinding take a toll on your health—take action today!