Why am I grinding my teeth?

Do you wake up with headaches or still, sore jaw muscles? Do you often experience toothaches, jaw clicking, or cracked teeth fillings? If you do, you may have the habit of grinding your teeth, also known as bruxism.

Many people are unaware that they do this, but teeth grinding is a common habit for both children and adults. This affects up to one-third of individuals in the daytime and more than 1 in 10 in their sleep.

The reason you are grinding your teeth in the daytime could be a reaction to concentration, a misaligned bite, stress, or anxiety. Nighttime teeth grinding can be related to hyperactivity, sleep apnea, or acid reflux, but the cause of bruxism is unique to each patient. Tobacco, caffeine, alcohol, and illicit drugs can also increase the risk of teeth grinding.

A few more signs and symptoms of bruxism may include:

• Teeth that are flattened, fractured, chipped, or loose
• Increased tooth pain or sensitivity
• Tired or tight jaw muscles, or a locked jaw that won't open or close completely
• Worn tooth enamel, exposing deeper layers of your tooth
• Damage from chewing on the inside of your cheek
• Sleep disruption

If you have any of the symptoms listed above, we recommend visiting our dental providers. One of the best treatments for bruxism is wearing a fitted mouthguard to prevent nighttime teeth from grinding and clenching. A mouthguard can protect your teeth from damage and reduce the effects of grinding on the muscle, tissues, and bone.

In most cases, bruxism doesn't cause serious complications, but severe bruxism may lead to:

• Damage to your teeth, restorations, crowns, or jaw
• Tension-type headaches
• Severe facial or jaw pain
• Disorders that occur in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), located in front of your ears, may sound like clicking when you open and close your mouth.

If you're grinding or clenching your teeth, schedule an appointment to talk to us about your symptoms and possible treatment. Hospitality Dental & Orthodontics is here to help and as always, we look forward to providing you with excellent dental care.