Teeth grinding (also known as bruxism) is a common issue and almost everyone will experience it at some point in their life. Problematic tooth grinding is generally defined as involuntary clenching, grinding, and gnashing actions of the teeth that typically occur during sleep.
Unfortunately, excessive tooth grinding can cause a range of complications to oral health and quality of life, and should therefore be avoided as much as possible. If you don’t take action to try and stop tooth grinding, you may experience toothaches or pain in your jaw, tooth fractures, dull headaches, TMJ syndrome, or muscle problems around the jaw joints. Most commonly, you may wear down the surface of your teeth and make them vulnerable to damage.
What are the causes of tooth grinding?
There could be a number of reasons you are grinding your teeth. Most people grind their teeth overnight and while asleep. However, some people may subconsciously grind their teeth throughout the day. At our Palm Beach dental clinic, we often see patients who grind their teeth for the following, most common reasons for tooth grinding:
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Anger
- Frustration
- Tension
- Coping strategy
- Habit
- Mouth pain.
How can you fix tooth grinding?
Treating bruxism can sometimes involve a process of trial and error to see what will work for you. Everyone is different, so certain treatments may be helpful whereas others may not. Some basic treatments that can be tried at home include wearing an appropriate mouthguard to sleep and reducing stress.
If you are looking to fix bruxism, you can also visit your trusted Palm Beach Dentist. Dentists can examine your mouth to determine if there are any oral complications that may be causing the tooth grinding. From there, they will be able to provide a range of options for alleviating the tooth grinding.
Some of the most effective methods for stopping tooth grinding include:
- Reducing stress and stressful aspects of your life, where possible
- Avoiding consuming stimulating food and beverages before bedtime
- Sticking to a regular bed routine and practicing good sleeping habits
- Booking regular dental examinations at your dentist near me
- Undergoing dental surgery to correct or reshape the biting surface of your teeth
- Wearing nightguards to limit damage and wear on teeth
- Getting advice from a maxillofacial surgeon or professional dentist
If you are experiencing issues with bruxism, we encourage you to book an appointment with our Palm Beach dental clinic. The Dental Haus team has extensive experience assisting patients who grind their teeth or are experiencing complications due to bruxism. We can offer a range of options and solutions to help with teeth grinding treatment.
The team at the Dental Haus is also experienced in a range of other dentistry matters, including cosmetic dental, general dental, orthodontics, teeth whitening, dental implants, restorative dentistry, and more. We welcome all patients to our dentist near me. Simply book an appointment online or contact the Gold Coast Dental Haus team to get started on your journey to a better smile.
