Bruxism is when a person grinds their teeth, typically when they sleep. People with the condition often wake up with headaches, soreness in the jaw, and sensitive teeth. The condition is common and affects a large chunk of the population.
The causes of bruxism are not well understood, but stress or anxiety seems to be the main factors. Once the habit has been developed, it can be difficult to stop, even if you are no longer feeling stressed or anxious.
The causes of teeth grinding vary for each patient. People who grind their teeth while awake tend to do it due to tension, intense concentration, anxiety, or stress. People who grind their teeth at night often have other issues, like sleep apnea, acid reflux, or hyperactivity. Medications used to treat issues like depression can also lead to teeth grinding.
A person’s habits can also increase the risk of grinding their teeth. Stimulants like alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine have been linked to teeth grinding.
Failing to treat teeth grinding can lead to headaches, fractured teeth, toothaches, and issues with the temporomandibular joints (TMJs). TMJs are hinge-like sliding joints that connect the bottom and top parts of the jaw. Issues developing there can affect a person’s ability to chew or speak properly.
The pain caused by TMJ can lead to additional issues, like ear pain. The pain is often enough to force one to visit a dentist or doctor.
Untreated teeth grinding could eventually lead to the loss of teeth if they get worn down to their innermost layers. Toothaches will be a common occurrence for the person at this point, and they might have to replace some of their teeth with oral prosthetics.
Dentists can help people who grind their teeth keep the damage to a minimum by providing customized mouth guards or splints that protect their teeth when they grind them. An impression of the patient’s teeth is taken, and it is sent to a lab where oral appliances are made. Wearing a nightguard before going to bed significantly reduces the impact of teeth grinding.
Other ways to treat teeth grinding include:
Call or visit our St George clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist so a customized guard that will protect your teeth from the effects of teeth grinding can be made for you.
Request an appointment here: https://www.stgeorgedentalcare.com or call St. George Dental Care at (435) 628-9099 for an appointment in our St George office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: TMJ Dentist in St George, UT.
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