ARE YOU GRINDING YOUR TEETH?
Bruxism means grinding and clenching your teeth. Grinding or clenching your teeth can lead to worn out teeth, damage to teeth and painful jaw joints. Teeth grinding can occur during the day or at night-time while sleeping. Many people may not even be aware that they are grinding their teeth at night as while grinding the teeth during sleep, you have no conscious control. If you wake up with a sore jaw, sensitive teeth or headache, you may be grinding your teeth at night. See our dentist and medical professional to rule out any causes. Sometimes, mild bruxism does not require any treatment but if you are experiencing it more frequently, please seek help. If you or your child is grinding their teeth at night or daytime, remember to discuss this with your dentist at the next dental appointment.
SYMPTOMS OF TEETH GRINDING OR BRUXISM
- Headache
- Sore jaw or ear pain
- Sleep disruption
- Teeth are flattened, chipped or fractured
- Multiple broken fillings
- Tooth sensitivity
- Jaw clenching
- Temporomandibular disorders
CAUSES OF TEETH GRINDING OR BRUXISM
- Stress and anxiety
- Snoring
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Alcohol, smoking and caffeine
- Medications including anti-depressants, antipsychotics, cocaine etc.
Teeth grinding is related to both physical and psychological stressors.
It is important to see your dentist and medical doctor to sort out solution as soon as possible. Your dentist will check the condition of your teeth and suggest appropriate ways to manage it. If your teeth are damaged (chipped, broken or worn down), your dentist will suggest doing fillings or crowns and then make an occlusal splint. An occlusal splint fits over your upper or lower teeth, relaxes your jaw, helps protect your teeth from wear and damage caused by teeth grinding.
Teeth grinding or bruxism can be linked to sleep apnea. If your dentist sees any signs of sleep apnea, he will suggest you see your medical doctor to rule out the possible sleep apnea condition.
One of the important steps in managing bruxism is finding and removing the cause. The dentist will try to check all the risk factors which are causing teeth grinding and suggest ways to manage it.
Dentist can help in managing and diagnosing bruxism. If you are grinding your teeth, have a sore jaw, headache form teeth grinding, badly worn-down teeth, please consult your dentist immediately.
For more information on Bruxism, contact our team at Heritage Dental Group Indooroopilly on 07 38783384.
WE PROMISE, “A GENTLE CARING DENTAL EXPERIENCE.”
References:
https://www.teeth.org.au/teeth-grinding
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/sleep-apnoea