Our general dentist can help reduce the effects of teeth grinding, also known as bruxism. Most people who grind their teeth tend to be unaware of their habit because it mainly occurs during sleep. Grinding your teeth occasionally due to being anxious or stressed out typically does not cause noticeable damage to teeth, but doing it regularly can lead to teeth structures being worn down.
Signs that you might grind your teeth at night include headaches and a sore jaw. It is also a loud habit, so you might get complaints if you share a room with someone. Other symptoms of bruxism include:
Teeth grinding is considered to be an unconscious response to anxiety or stress. People who grind their teeth while awake often do so due to emotional or stressful situations. Some also grind their teeth when concentrating on a task.
Teeth grinding that occurs during sleep is more common than daytime bruxism. It is the body’s unconscious reaction to stress that has carried over from the person's awake state.
Risk factors that can trigger nighttime bruxism include the heavy consumption of caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine. Teeth grinding can also be caused by sleep disorders, like sleep apnea. Age is a risk factor because children are more likely to grind their teeth than adults. Most of them grow out of it by the time they reach adulthood, though.
A person’s personality type can also increase their risk of teeth grinding. For example, people with hyperactive, aggressive personalities are more likely to grind their teeth.
Our general dentist addresses teeth grinding by providing patients with a custom night guard that minimizes the forces placed on their teeth while grinding. These devices look like the mouthguards that athletes wear when playing contact sports.
The night guard is made from an impression created when the patient bites down on a mold. The impression is sent to a lab where technicians make oral appliances like nightguards. The process usually takes a couple of weeks.
Wearing a nightguard can significantly reduce the risk of the patient’s teeth being damaged due to teeth grinding. The dentist also helps by educating the patient on how habits like heavy caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco consumption can make teeth grinding worse.
The dentist might also show the patient relaxation techniques that they can perform before going to bed, to reduce any stress or anxiety that might be affecting their bruxism. Teeth grinding can be tricky to treat, but a nightguard can reduce its effects.
Here are the answers to frequently asked questions about teeth grinding, the damage that it causes, and how to reduce its effects.
There are a several reasons that people grind their teeth. It could be due to stress, misaligned teeth, or sleep disorders. It can also be due to unresolved anger or emotional issues. Using recreational drugs can also lead to teeth grinding. If a patient thinks that they might be clenching or grinding their teeth, they should consult with a dentist to find out the cause.
The most common symptom of bruxism is waking up with a headache or sore jaw. The patient might also observe that their teeth feel more sensitive than usual. Teeth grinding can also damage teeth enamel, leading to issues like chipped and broken teeth. This increases a person’s risk of tooth decay because enamel protects the more sensitive layers of teeth.
Over time, tooth grinding can damage the teeth and lead to tooth decay. It can also cause headaches, jaw pain, and earache. Bruxism wears down the teeth over time, and it can flatten their biting surfaces, hindering one's ability to grind down food.
An effective way for a patient to stop grinding their teeth is for them to see a dentist or another healthcare professional, who can help determine the cause of the patient's tooth grinding and offer treatment options. In the meantime, patients should try to avoid chewing on hard objects (like ice or candy) and relax their jaw when they're feeling stressed.
Our general dentist can help minimize the effects of teeth grinding by providing you with a custom nightguard. Call or visit our Miami Beach clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://dentistmiamibeachfl.com for an appointment in our Miami Beach office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Miami Beach, FL.
Visiting a general dentist for routine cleanings is essential for preventing common dental problems such as tooth decay or gum disease. While brushing and flossing every day can help remove a majority of bacteria and plaque from the teeth, it is impossible to completely remove all buildup. Frequently scheduling dental cleanings makes it possible to…
A general dentist often recommends a root canal to save a tooth and restore its function. Read on to learn more about when a general dentist recommends this procedure. While they have a bad reputation for being unpleasant, modern dental technology has made the process straightforward and virtually painless.To salvage a damaged tooth, general dentists…
Many people assume that dental procedures will be uncomfortable. Read on to learn how a painless dentist can help those who are worried about pain during a procedure. In reality, patients can enjoy a painless experience from the time they come into the dental office.Aside from preparing them for what happens during the appointment, the…
By visiting a general dentist on a regular basis, you can help keep your days fun and free of dental infection.Are you in need of a dental checkup? Has it been more than six months since your last appointment? Then visit our general dentist office for the treatment and professional cleaning you need. Along with…
Food and drink have a lot to do with oral health, but certain medications can also have an impact. While bleeding gums are often associated with signs of plaque buildup along the gum line, it is possible for those who take blood thinners to be more susceptible to this condition as well.Blood thinners are used…
Although the gums may bleed occasionally from rough brushing or flossing too vigorously, frequent bleeding gums are a sign that something is wrong. Dental issues are the most common cause of this bleeding, often due to proper oral hygiene not being practiced. Depending on the cause of the bleeding, there are certain treatments and preventative…