We’ve all found ourselves pressing our teeth after a tense moment or an especially hard physical movement. However, severe teeth grinding, or bruxism, can be very dangerous and damaging for your smile, leading to frequent visits to the dentist on Hiatus RD.
In the long term, bruxism can exacerbate tooth erosion, cause jaw pain or TMJ disorder, and negatively affect your quality of life. To prevent that, here’s everything you need to know about this harmful condition—and how our dental team can help you reduce the damage.
Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding, a very damaging condition in which patients clench their teeth with incredible strength, often unaware of it. In fact, most teeth grinders tend to clench their teeth when they’re asleep at night.
Long-term bruxism can have several consequences for your oral health. It can cause:
— Cracked or broken teeth
— Worn-down tooth enamel which fosters gum disease and tooth loss
— Persistent headaches or discomfort in the shoulders, neck, ears, or jaw
— Migraines
— Jawbone damage
— Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which leads to pain when speaking and eating.
Sadly, teeth grinding is extremely common. Experts estimate that 8% to 31% of adults have bruxism, damaging their teeth and seriously affecting their quality of life.
Bruxism is an unconscious action often caused by stress. People may experience shoulder, neck, or jaw pain when they wake up. However, mood, behaviors, illnesses, family history, and medications can all be contributing factors to bruxism.
Experts distinguish between two types of bruxism depending on its causes. Primary bruxism is not related to a medical condition, but it may emerge as a result of:
— Stress or depression
— Tense, angry, or aggressive feelings
— Family history of bruxism
— Caffeine and alcohol intake
— Smoking
On the other hand, secondary bruxism develops in people who have certain medical conditions or take medications that may lead to teeth grinding. This is the case for people with neurological conditions or those taking certain medications like Prozac (fluoxetine),anti-seizure medications, or ADHD medications.
There are various treatments for bruxism, depending on what’s causing it and whether or not you experience teeth grinding while awake or at night. However, the most common solution involves getting a custom-made mouthguard to protect your teeth from damage.
At a dental office, you can be fitted for a mouth guard that will cushion and protect your teeth from damage. These guards come in various designs, but they keep the upper and lower back teeth separated so the grinding doesn’t wear them down.
Additionally, as bruxism is often caused by nerves, stress-reducing practices can help eliminate this dangerous condition. Meditation, yoga, and reducing your caffeine intake are all techniques that will help you calm down and enjoy a calmer night of sleep.
Bruxism is a very damaging condition that may impact oral health for several years. Luckily, at a dental examination, our professional dentist can easily identify the signs of worn teeth and enhanced sensitivity in the mouth or jaw.
If you suspect this is the case for you, reach out to Village Square Dental right away!