Clenching, grinding, and pressure are all attributed to bruxism, a condition most people call teeth grinding. When grinding of the teeth, the upper portion of the teeth wears down, leading to dental problems over time. For those who are engaging in teeth grinding in their sleep or even while awake, it’s essential to reach out for help, especially for relief of the symptoms you have, such as headaches due to teeth grinding. At Lovett Dental Upper Kirby in Texas, we can offer some insights to you. Contact our team today at 713-490-8888 to learn more.
Why Are You Engaging in Grinding of Teeth?
You may not even realize you are doing it, but teeth grinding can occur for many reasons. In most situations, it occurs when a person is unknowingly applying extreme pressure in clamping their jaw shut. This grinding is sometimes a reflex to what is happening around them. Some of the most common reasons for bruxism include:
- Pain in the teeth or jaw
- Unrelieved stress
- Anxiety or worrying
- Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea
- Bad habits
No matter why you are doing this, it can cause damage to your teeth quickly. That’s why people need teeth grinding treatment as soon as possible.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Teeth Grinding in Your Sleep?
In most cases, people engage in teeth grinding in their sleep. When you are asleep, you have less control over what you are doing and are less likely to notice what you are doing. If you get up frequently at night and don’t know why, but you feel pressure in the back of your mouth or tightness in your jaw, that could indicate bruxism.
Teeth grinding in your sleep can often be associated with unresolved pain or, most commonly, sleep disorders like sleep apnea. This type of sleep disorder results in a person waking up just slightly several times a night in order to adjust their airway. If you’ve been diagnosed with this condition, it is essential to talk to your doctor about treatments to protect your oxygen levels at night.
Your specialty dentist can improve teeth grinding in your sleep by reducing the cause of the pain or by using a sleep appliance. You fit these appliances into your mouth. Some will help the sleep apnea to reside. Other times, our products work to protect the teeth from grinding into each other.
Teeth Grinding During the Day
Teeth grinding during the day is often brought on by stress. If you are dealing with anxiety or a lot of emotional turmoil, you may start grinding your teeth as a way to minimize that feeling. You may have symptoms such as:
- Teeth grinding headache
- Jaw pain and muscle aches
- Tightness in your jaw when moving it
- Inability to open your mouth fully
- Damage to the structure of the teeth
If you are likely experiencing bruxism, reach out to our team right away. We’ll provide a full exam to determine if there is damage to the surface or root structure of your teeth. This will allow us to assess the benefit of a dental appliance for you or other solutions that may help. Reducing your anxiety and stress and resolving any pain you have could be the best way to improve teeth grinding in the long term.
Call Lovett Dental Upper Kirby for an Appointment
Grinding of teeth can cause dental damage quickly. That’s why bruxism should be treated as soon as you notice symptoms, including teeth grinding headaches or jaw pain. Our teeth grinding treatment options, especially for teeth grinding in sleep, can be very useful. All you have to do is reach out to our team today to learn more about how we can help you. Call Lovett Dental Upper Kirby in Texas at 713-490-8888 for an appointment.