Grinding or clenching your teeth on a regular basis can put your teeth and health at risk. While you may only grind your teeth at night while you're asleep, you could be causing more damage to your mouth and jaws than you realize. Fortunately, when you become aware of the potential risks, you can take steps to help protect your teeth from unwanted damage.
Bruxismis a condition that involves grinding, clenching or gnashing of the teeth, and can occur while awake or during sleep. When it happens during waking hours, it usually involves an unconscious clenching of the teeth. Nighttime bruxism, or sleep bruxism, happens during sleep and is usually a repetitive clenching or grinding of the teeth that can cause significant damage if left untreated.
People grind their teeth for many reasons. Sometimes, it's an unconscious habit brought on by stress or anxiety. But, more often, it is an involuntary movement that occurs during sleep. Missing or crooked teeth, an abnormal bite, and sleep disorders are all common causes of nighttime bruxism.
In addition to wearing the teeth down, teeth grinding and clenching can cause your teeth to fracture, loosen, or even fall out. Wearing away of enamel due to repetitive grinding and clenching leaves your teeth susceptible to decay, which can eventually lead to the need for crowns, bridges, or dentures to replace severely damaged or missing teeth. Sufferer's of constant teeth grinding can also experience frequent headaches, jaw pain, and tooth pain, which can lead to additional health problems in the future.
It's important to recognize the signs of teeth grinding before irreparable damage occurs. If you suspect you might be grinding or clenching your teeth during waking hours or while you sleep, here are some common symptoms you may experience:
Many people grind their teeth during sleep, which means they may not even be aware they're doing it until they notice problems with their teeth or jaws. Whether you grind your teeth during sleep or while you're awake, some treatment options that may help solve the problem are:
At Salgra Dental Group, we understand that keeping your teeth healthy and strong is important for maintaining a high quality of life. If you grind or clench your teeth, contact usfor an appointment to discuss the treatment options that are right for you.
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