Dental Care For Bruxism
We all get stressed out once in a while. And when we do, our mental stress can actually create physical symptoms. For example, when some people feel anxious and tense, they grind or clench their teeth. It can happen during the day or at night — and you might not even know it. But either way, it’s a very real problem that doctors and dentists call bruxism.
Bruxism/Teeth Grinding
Bruxism teeth grinding may be mild enough to be completely unnoticeable. However, it can be severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other dental problems.
The most common form of bruxism teeth grinding is sleep bruxism. Because you can grind your teeth at night and not even know it until complications develop, it’s important to learn the warning signs and to seek routine dental care. Bruxism treatment may be as simple as practicing self-help steps to reduce stress or may require you to wear a bruxism guard when you sleep.
Warning Signs of Bruxism Teeth Grinding
Grinding your teeth puts pressure on the mouth’s muscles and tissues, as well as the jaw. If you wake up with a sensitive jaw or if it hurts to eat, you might suffer from sleep bruxism. Here are some warning signs to watch out for:
– Grinding that is loud enough to awaken your sleeping partner
– Increased tooth sensitivity
– Sore, painful jaw
– Headache
– Earache
– Chronic facial pain
– Teeth that are worn down, flattened or chipped
If you routinely experience one or more of these problems, talk to your dentist about what bruxism treatments are available.