What Can I Do About Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding (bruxism) is a dental issue that can affect children and adults alike. Irregular, infrequent teeth grinding usually doesn’t have any negative consequences on oral health. However, regular teeth grinding can harm the teeth and the jawbone over time. Here’s what you need to know about teeth grinding and how to treat it.

What Causes Teeth Grinding?

There are many dental issues that can cause teeth grinding. Some common causes include:

Abnormal Bite

Crooked Teeth

Sleep Apnea

Stress & Anxiety

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

How To Know if You Grind Your Teeth

More often than not, teeth grinding occurs while we sleep. This can make it difficult to even know if you grind your teeth at all. If you experience morning headaches or wake up with a sore jaw, you more than likely grind your teeth while you sleep. In other instances, a friend or a loved one may be able to hear your teeth grinding and notify you. At your regular dental exams your dentist may be able to tell you grind your teeth by excessive wear on your molars.

What Happens if Teeth Grinding Goes Untreated?

Teeth grinding can wreak havoc on your smile. When left untreated, bruxism will cause your teeth to wear down, fracture, and in some cases, even fall out. Grinding also puts a lot of pressure on the jawbone and the temporomandibular joints, which can lead to jaw injury and TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder).

Teeth Grinding Treatment

The first step to treating bruxism is to identify the root cause. Once your dentist has an understanding of what’s causing your bruxism, a treatment plan can be designed to fit your unique case. Some of the most common treatments for bruxism include:

Oral Appliance Therapy

Oral appliance therapy utilizes a thick, retainer-like tray to reposition the jawbone. It helps minimize nighttime teeth grinding and can also help protect the teeth when grinding occurs.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can help strengthen the jaw and the facial muscles. With physical therapy, your therapist can target areas of the face and jaw that may be contributing to your teeth grinding habit.

Bruxism Treatment in Oakboro, NC

Do you suffer from teeth grinding? Don’t let it go untreated! At Oakboro Family Dentistry, we offer high-quality bruxism treatments to help patients preserve their oral health. Our team is ready and equipped to take care of you and create a custom treatment plan that best suits your unique dental needs. Please contact our office to schedule your appointment!

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Categorised in: Bruxism, Oral Health