Do you experience jaw pain in the morning? Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is the involuntary clenching, grinding, and gnashing of the teeth. This condition typically occurs at night, but it’s not an uncommon struggle in daylight hours, either. Approximately half of the population grinds their teeth occasionally, but around 5% grind so frequently that it causes problems. Concerned you’re one of the 5%? Read on to learn the signs you grind your teeth, and how Dr. Shah with Pleasant Dental can help!
The Most Common Signs You Grind Your Teeth
Do you wake up with jaw pain or stiffness? Experience headaches you can’t blame on other causes? Teeth grinding at night may explain these symptoms. If you experience any combination of the following teeth-grinding signs, contact your dentist right away. An experienced dentist like Dr. Shah at Pleasant Dental will examine any signs of wear and provide a teeth-grinding treatment.
- Increased tooth pain or sensitivity
- Loud teeth grinding or clenching that may distract those around you or awaken your sleep partner
- Flattened, fractured, chipped, or loose teeth
- Tired or tight jaw muscles, or a locked jaw
- Neck or face pain or soreness, particularly first thing in the morning
- Unexplained ear pain
- Dull headaches in the temples, particularly first thing in the morning
- Damage from chewing on the inside of your cheek
Do you think you may be grinding your teeth?
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What Causes Teeth Grinding?
There are two main types of bruxism: awake and sleep. They share many symptoms and solutions, but they occur throughout different parts of the day. Awake bruxism is easier to identify, while sleep bruxism often causes more damage.
Awake Bruxism
“Awake bruxism” refers to teeth grinding during the day, notably while awake. Emotional distress, such as anxiety, anger, stress, frustration, or tension are the most common causes of teeth grinding during waking hours. Grinding your teeth, subconsciously or otherwise, may be a coping strategy or a habit developed by deep concentration.
Sleep Bruxism
“Sleep bruxism” refers to sleep-related teeth grinding, often associated with stress, depression, grief, and panic disorders. Excessive grinding overnight causes pain in the mornings. Sleep apnea and stomach sleeping can also increase the frequency of unconscious grinding.
How to Treat Teeth Grinding
Teeth-grinding damage is not permanent. Help is available! You can take several steps at home to stop teeth grinding during the day or at night. If those prove unsuccessful, professional dental treatment will help.
Stress Management
Stress is the primary cause of teeth grinding. But stress management gets your endorphins flowing and lowers anxiety levels. Yoga, walks, or meditation can help reduce overall anxiety, frustration… and jaw pain. Choose an activity that works for you.
Jaw Alignment
It’s possible to change your mouth’s and jaw’s natural rest positions. A dentist can properly align your jaw and allow you to feel the correct positioning so that you can repeat the movement at home. Repeated practice will retrain your mouth and jaw muscles to sit correctly and minimize any pain.
Routine Dental Care & Mouth Guards
Regular visits allow your dentist to spot bruxism early and monitor any teeth-grinding damage. Your dentist can also repair chipped teeth and add crowns as needed. If a teeth-grinding night guard is required, you can be fitted for a mouth guard to wear overnight and stop unconscious teeth-grinding.
Relief from mouth and jaw pain is available! Dr. Shah and the professionals at Pleasant Dental will help you feel better and save your teeth.
Want to know how to tell if you’re grinding your teeth?
Dr. Shah with Pleasant Dental can help detect the signs!
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
“We cannot solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.”
– Albert Einstein
