Common Teeth Grinding Causes
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is a fairly common occurrence that can cause a multitude of problems related to the teeth, jaw and head. When most people think of problems that can arise with their teeth, they think of things like tooth decay or possible culprits that can chip, crack or stain teeth, but they don’t often think of what grinding the teeth can do to their teeth and jaw. It turns out, however, that grinding teeth causes some rather serious problems and should be addressed and treated promptly.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
The main cause of teeth grinding is stress and anxiety. A build up of stress can lead to people tightly clenching their jaw and grinding their teeth. This happens most often during sleep, although it can also occur during waking hours. The culprits that cause teeth grinding are very often unconscious, so it is difficult to break the habit of teeth grinding. Also, since most tooth grinding occurs during sleep, many people don’t realize they even do it until problems start to appear, such as damage to the teeth, jaw pain or headaches.
Problems Caused By Tooth Grinding
So, what happens when teeth grinding occurs over time?
- Jaw Pain and Discomfort – Usually, the first sign that someone has been grinding their teeth is jaw pain or discomfort. This can be in the form of the jaw feeling achy or tight, or the jaw may lock, pop or click upon movement. If left untreated, continued teeth grinding can lead to TMJ disorder, otherwise known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.
- Headaches – Another problem that can occur from teeth grinding is headaches, primarily in the temples. This is a common complaint when the muscles of the jaw are overworked from repeated clenching.
- Tooth Damage – When clenching of the jaw occurs accompanied by grinding of the teeth, it can also cause damage to the teeth themselves. Teeth can chip or crack, the surface of the teeth can be worn away, or teeth can even become crooked or the bite can be thrown off due to shifting, resulting in discomfort when chewing and talking.
Treatment for Teeth Grinding
Treatment for bruxism involves reducing the causes of tooth grinding, protecting the teeth and jaw from continued teeth grinding, and repairing any damage already caused by prolonged tooth grinding. These include:
- Night Guards – The first line of treatment for teeth grinding involves stopping the grinding from occurring. Patients can get a custom-crafted night guard from their dentist that is worn during bedtime. This helps to prevent grinding and clenching and can also lessen the effects of the actions when they occur.
- Reduce Anxiety – It is also worth trying to address the reasons that teeth grinding or jaw clenching occur in the first place. Most of the time, it is due to unresolved stress and anxiety, so by reducing that stress and anxiety, it may reduce the occurrence of teeth grinding. There are a number of ways to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Cosmetic dental options – If damage to the teeth has already occurred as a result of teeth grinding, then there are a number of cosmetic dentistry options that can help to restore the look of chipped, cracked or broken teeth. Procedures such as porcelain veneers, bonding or dental crowns can improve the look of damaged teeth. Orthodontics can help to straighten and realign teeth that have shifted due to prolonged teeth grinding.
At Park Dental Care, we address the causes of teeth grinding, as well as prevention of the condition. In our Astoria, Queens dental office, we also offer cosmetic dentistry options, as well as orthodontics, to treat the damage caused by teeth grinding. If you suspect that you are grinding your teeth or have noticed pain, discomfort or damage to your teeth or jaw, contact us today at 718-Dentist.
