Teeth grinding, medically known as bruxism, is a condition that affects a lot of people. For some people it is mild, or limited to certain times of the day. For others it can be a more persistent and painful issue.
The staff at Country Club Dental knows how important it is to preserve your teeth and find resolutions for issues like bruxism. Let’s take a look at some of the causes of bruxism, and discuss how to stop grinding your teeth.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
The best way to treat teeth grinding is to identify and understand the cause. Here are some of the factors that might play a role in teeth grinding:
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Stress
Life throws a lot of things at us, and stress is a very common ailment. Stress puts strain on our bodies, and can disrupt our sleep, our mood, our eating habits. It also can cause teeth grinding and jaw clenching. This could happen unconsciously while you are sleeping or any time during the day that you are feeling particularly stressed or frustrated.
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Medications
There are some medications that list teeth grinding as a possible side effect. If you are on a medication that may cause bruxism, notify your dentist. It may also be helpful to discuss alternative options with your doctor.
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Medical and Psychological Conditions
Teeth grinding can be caused by conditions such as GERD, sleep apnea, or anxiety. If you have a condition that is known to cause bruxism, seeking treatment for that condition may help you stop grinding your teeth.
How to Treat Teeth Grinding
The best way to stop grinding your teeth will depend on the severity of the issue and its cause. If your dentist notices signs of teeth grinding, they will likely ask questions to determine when you are grinding your teeth most and which factors might trigger this response. Addressing teeth grinding right away is important, as it can cause issues like jaw soreness, headaches, tooth sensitivity, and tooth breakage.
Treatments for teeth grinding include:
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Mouth Guards
Mouth guards can be very helpful, especially with stopping grinding teeth at night. They come in a variety of materials, some more hard and others softer, and can be molded to fit both your top and bottom teeth.
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Stress Reduction
If stress is causing you to grind your teeth, addressing your stress and managing it may help resolve your teeth grinding. Sometimes it can be as simple as exercising more or being more conscious of overfilling your schedule. In other cases it may be helpful to seek out help from a therapist or counselor.
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Master Your Muscles
Teeth grinding is something that we typically do unconsciously, so it can be hard to ‘just stop’ grinding your teeth. However, there are behavioral changes you can make, and jaw exercises you can do to gain control.
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Treat Related Conditions
If medical or psychological conditions are causing your teeth grinding, treating those conditions could be a solution. If your current treatment isn’t working, discuss other options with your doctor.
Don’t Delay in Stopping Teeth Grinding
If you are concerned that you may grind your teeth, or have questions about bruxism, the staff at Country Club Dental would love to meet with you. Untreated teeth grinding can cause major issues, so let’s get together and find the best treatment for your specific needs. You can schedule an appointment online, or call us at 928-526-4314.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (5/27/21). Photo by Sammy Williams on Unsplash
