Reasons You Might Be Grinding Your Teeth and Methods To Fix It
Do you ever stop your current activity to suddenly notice your teeth are clenched tightly? Do you get out of bed in the morning feeling pain in your head, sensitive teeth, or jaw discomfort? You may be dealing with bruxism – an issue that involves gnashing, clenching, or biting of the teeth throughout the daytime or while sleeping during the night. Bruxism is one of the bad oral patterns for teeth that affects 1 out of 10 people. Individuals may show signs of bruxism due to many causes, but if left untreated, it could wreak havoc on your dental wellness. Keep reading to learn more concerning bruxism signs and the ways our skilled oral care practitioners at Made Ya Smile in Houston, TX can help you manage this concern.
What is teeth grinding?
Bad dental behaviors can include smoking cigarettes, consuming a lot of sugary foods, not consuming enough water, and clenching your jaw. What causes teeth grinding is unique to every patient, and the oral care providers at Made Ya Smile will look for signs of teeth clenching during your oral evaluation. Whether it is hereditary, stress-related, or physiological, it is a problem that might impact your dental wellness. Nighttime jaw clenching can be connected to acid reflux, hyperactivity, or common sleep disorders, like abnormal breathing during sleep. Daytime bruxism, however, is frequently triggered by worry and emotional tension.
What are typical bruxism indicators?
At Made Ya Smile, our dentists look for symptoms of bruxism at standard dental exams. The act of clenching or grinding is a challenge that affects men, women, and even kids. Specific causes, like stress, worry, certain sleep problems, or crooked teeth can cause people to clench their teeth. Among the most visible indicators of jaw clenching is the deterioration of tooth covering, but additional symptoms are:
- Tightness or pain in the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint)
- Receding gums
- Tightness in the shoulder, neck, or jaw area
- Headaches
- Tooth discomfort
- Decayed fillings or teeth
- Sleep disruptions
- Ear discomfort
What are some bruxism treatment options?
Sleep-related jaw clenching happens when the throat becomes constricted, sparking the body to produce additional saliva and resemble a grinding movement to permit the airway to reopen. Clenching or moving the top and bottom jawline backward and forward is your own innate process to keep yourself from the impact of sleep disorders, like chronic snoring or sleep apnea. To secure your teeth and overall health from the impact of teeth grinding during the night, the dental experts at Made Ya Smile advise a custom-made mouth guard device. Composed of high-quality materials, the appliances are able to reduce discomfort and oral concerns caused by teeth clenching. Additional treatment options are:
- Treat underlying health problems, like acid reflux
- Integrate relaxation methods, like meditation or seeing a therapist
- Treat any sleep-related disturbances, such as sleep apnea, to improve unconscious bruxism
- BOTOX® injections to reduce hyperactivity of the masseter muscle
- Perform correct jaw and mouth positioning over the course of the day
Are you seeking a dental provider in Houston, TX?
Grinding or clenching of the teeth may result in damage or discomfort, affecting your dental health in many possible ways. A customized night occlusal guard can be an effective method to secure your smile, rest more soundly, and reduce jaw grinding concerns. When you require a custom night guard device or wish to hear more details regarding bruxism, reach out to our expert team at Made Ya Smile in Houston, TX.