One of the most common culprits for frequent headaches, TMJ, or worn or broken teeth is teeth grinding, or “bruxism.” Many people don’t even realize they are grinding their teeth as it often happens during sleep or subconsciously during the day. If you often find yourself dealing with a tense jaw or sore teeth, you might have bruxism. Dentists like Plano, TX dentist Dr. Jacob Grapevine can easily identify and treat teeth grinding and its side effects.
Why Do I Grind My Teeth?
People who grind or clench their teeth are more likely to have an issue with the bite, which refers to the alignment of your teeth. Tooth grinding and jaw clenching often indicate a bite issue, meaning people who grind their teeth may have an overbite or underbite.
Bruxism is also commonly associated with stress, whether from personal environmental factors or from a dental problem creating muscle tension. When the intricate system of muscles in the mouth and neck aren’t working properly, it creates tension which can lead to headaches, facial pain, and teeth grinding.
Signs of Teeth Grinding
Dentists can usually easily identify signs of teeth grinding, such as:
- Worn or dull teeth, especially chips or flat spots
- Cuts or sores on the inside cheek
- Sensitive teeth
- Jaw pain
- Frequent headaches
How to Stop Teeth Grinding
A lot of the advice for how to stop teeth grinding suggests reducing stress levels, but this only works if the stress is coming from your environment. If the stress is inside the mouth and the result of a dental problem, you’ll need other ways to help stop it. Stress reduction and occlusal appliances are often combined to treat bruxism.
There are a few different options available in the form of occlusal appliances. You might be familiar with night guards, which are a type of occlusal appliance. These are custom-fitted to each patient’s mouth and designed to fit over the top or bottom teeth to stop nighttime teeth grinding.
For more severe cases, your dentist may recommend mandibular advancement devices, which are designed to bring the jaw forward when the dentist suspects a sleep disorder is causing the problem. These devices are often referred to as “snore guards,” which help align the jaw during sleep to help with sleep apnea or snoring.
Bruxism Treatment in Plano, TX
Teeth grinding can damage teeth and keep you from living a pain-free life, so it’s important to seek treatment if you grind your teeth. Dr. Grapevine’s team provides full-service dentistry to help you put an end to bruxism and keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Schedule an appointment online or call (972) 268-6480 today.