Most people probably grind and clench their teeth from time to time. But occasional teeth grinding does not usually cause harm. It’s when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged and other oral health complications can arise.
Why Do People Grind Their Teeth?[1]
Although teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety, it often occurs during sleep and is more likely caused by an abnormal bite, missing or crooked teeth.
How Do I Find Out if I Grind My Teeth?
Because grinding often occurs during sleep, most people are unaware that they grind their teeth. However, a dull, constant headache or sore jaw is a telltale symptom of bruxism. Many times people learn that they grind their teeth by their loved one who hears the grinding at night.
If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth, talk to your dentist. He or she can examine your mouth and jaw for signs of bruxism, such as jaw tenderness and abnormalities in your teeth.
Why Is Teeth Grinding Harmful?
In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in a fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. The chronic grinding may wear their teeth down to stumps. When these events happen, bridges,crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even complete dentures may be needed.
Not only can severe grinding damage teeth and result in tooth loss, it can also affect your jaws, result in hearing loss, cause or worsen TMD/TMJ, and even change the appearance of your face.
What Can I Do to Stop Grinding My Teeth?
Your dentist can fit you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth from grinding during sleep.
If stress is causing you to grind your teeth, ask your doctor or dentist about options to reduce your stress. Attending stress counseling, starting an exercise program, seeing a physical therapist, or obtaining a prescription for anti-anxiety or muscle relaxants are among some of the options that may be offered.
Other tips to help you stop teeth grinding include:[2]
- Avoid or cut back on foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as colas, chocolate, coffee and so-called energy drinks.
- Avoid alcohol. Grinding tends to intensify after alcohol consumption.
- Do not chew on objects that are not food. So avoid, finger nails, pencils and pens. Also avoid chewing gum as it allows your jaw muscles to get used to clenching and may tend to make you more likely to grind your teeth.
- Train yourself not to clench or grind your teeth. If you notice that you clench or grind during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth. This practice trains your jaw muscles to relax.
- Relax your jaw muscles at night by holding a warm washcloth against your cheek in front of your earlobe.
Novy Scheinfeld, DDS, PC
290 Carpenter Drive, 200A
Atlanta (Sandy Springs), GA 30328
404-256-3620
Related articles
- Dentist East Cobb: Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) (therightsmile.wordpress.com)
- Stop the Chomp: Tips to Quit Grinding Teeth (fitsugar.com)
- Are there any remedies for teeth clenching? (zocdoc.com)
[1] Webmd was utilized as a source.
[2] Ibid.
