Clenching and grinding of the teeth (bruxism) affects both adults and children. Many people do not realize that they are grinding or clenching their teeth until they start experiencing symptoms, even if they do it during the day! The tremendous pressures generated by constant clenching and grinding of the teeth takes a toll on the jaw and the tooth enamel. This creates several types of dental problems that have long-lasting effects. Identifying the likely cause of the bruxism and then instituting a treatment plan is critical for long-term oral health.
What Causes Bruxism?
Daytime clenching is often linked to stress or anxiety. When the body is under stress, muscles tend to tighten, including the muscles in the jaw. This may lead to unconscious clenching throughout the day.
Grinding of your teeth during the night is commonly linked to poor sleep quality. Poor sleep is often caused by stress, and conditions such as sleep apnea and ADD/ADHD (attention deficit disorder) may cause you to grind more during the night. Sleep studies indicate that bruxing typically occurs as sleepers move from deep sleep to lighter sleep. Therefore, lessening the number of transitions between deep and light sleep can reduce the amount of bruxing the takes place at night.
Other possible causes of bruxism include:
- Certain types of antidepressant medications, such as SSRIs
- Bite misalignment or uneven tooth contact
- Tobacco use
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Excess caffeine intake
Whatever the cause of your grinding, it should be evaluated by a dentist before it causes permanent damage.
How Teeth Grinding Affects Your Oral Health
Bruxism places significant stress on both your teeth and jaw, causing some of the following issues:·
- Extreme jaw and facial soreness
- Headaches, especially in the morning
- Discomfort at the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
- Worn enamel leading to tooth sensitivity
- Chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth
- Damage to crowns, bridges, or dental implants
If you don’t seek treatment for grinding for a long period of time, it could lead to complex and costly restorative care.
How to Prevent Bruxism
The best way to reduce bruxism depends on why you’re clenching or grinding your teeth. In many cases, lifestyle changes and dental care work well together. Here are some typical recommendations when one of our Placerville patients presents with signs of bruxism.
Reduce Your Stress
Deep breathing techniques, prayer/meditation, stretching, and regular exercise may all help reduce tension, which reduces stress. Training yourself to be self-aware, to recognize that you are clenching and need to relax your muscles, is critical. Visual reminders in your common work areas can be helpful.
Improve Your Sleep
Having a consistent bedtime routine makes a big difference in clenching and grinding. In addition, reducing screen time close to bedtime, limiting caffeine late in the day, and avoiding alcohol in the evening all help improve your sleep quality and reduce nighttime grinding. Especially since bruxism during sleep is unconscious, a custom nightguard or dental splint is commonly recommended to prevent tooth wear and damage.
Preventive Dental Visits
Regular visits to your dentist are always recommended. They help you spot signs of bruxism earlier than you would on your own. During your examination, your dentist may notice wear on the edges of your teeth, flattened teeth, jaw tenderness, or bite changes due to grinding. If bite issues are contributing to the problem, then orthodontic treatment may help.
Taking steps like these as soon as possible reduces the effects of bruxism before it leads to more serious discomfort or damage. If you notice jaw pain, worn teeth, or signs of nighttime grinding, our team can help you find the right solution to protect your smile. This preserves your comfort and your oral health.
If you suspect that you are grinding or clenching your teeth, schedule a visit with the Placerville Dentistry Group today. Let our team help protect your teeth and relieve the effects of grinding. Such preventive efforts help you avoid damage to the teeth and dental restorations that lead to emergency care. And if you are experiencing a dental emergency, call us anytime, day or night. We are always here to help!
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