If you think you may be grinding your teeth, you may be wondering what dental issues could arise. Our Palmetto Dental Associates team will inform you about how teeth grinding causes dental issues, signs that can indicate teeth grinding, and a few treatment options that may help you get relief from bruxism. Let’s get into it!
Why Does Teeth Grinding Cause Dental Issues? And What Issues Does It Cause?
Teeth grinding happens when you clench your teeth and grind them together, often unconsciously. Normally, your teeth are only supposed to meet when you’re chewing, biting, smiling, or doing something else that requires them to come together. When your mouth is at rest and relaxed, your teeth shouldn’t touch.
But if you have bruxism, you may constantly clench, grind, and gnash your teeth together. This is most common while you sleep, but can happen during the day, too. This “parafunctional” activity puts a lot of strain on your teeth and the rest of your jaw.
Over time, clenching and grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel, and even break one or more of your teeth. The constant clenching and grinding can also make your jaw muscles tired, cause headaches, or even lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ/TMD), a painful condition that affects the joints that connect your jaw to your skull.
What Are The Signs Of Teeth Grinding? What Should I Look Out For?
If you think you may grind your teeth in Lexington, you may be wondering what signs to look out for. Only a dentist can diagnose you, but here are a few signs that you may have bruxism.
Tooth pain – Grinding your teeth puts lots of strain on the ligaments that support your teeth, which can lead to tooth pain, particularly in the rear teeth.
Jaw soreness – Jaw soreness, especially when waking up in the morning, is a common sign of teeth grinding.
Headaches and earaches – Since it puts a lot of strain on your jaw muscles, teeth grinding can cause or contribute to headaches and earaches.
Worn-down teeth – If you grind your teeth for a long time without treatment, you may eventually notice that your teeth look flatter, smaller, or smoother than they used to.
Your partner notices grinding at night – If you sleep with a partner, they may hear clicking, popping, and grinding noises when you grind your teeth at night.
What Are My Treatment Options For Teeth Grinding?
There are a few treatment options that may help you treat teeth grinding and protect your smile:
Lifestyle changes – Teeth grinding is often associated with stress, certain medications, and the use of some substances like alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco. Making changes to your lifestyle may help reduce or eliminate teeth grinding.
Medication – Muscle relaxers are sometimes prescribed to help with teeth grinding. Some medications like certain antidepressants raise the risk of tooth grinding, so you may want to speak with your doctor if you take a medication that makes you more likely to grind your teeth.
Night guards – Night guards are cushioned plastic appliances that fit over your teeth when you sleep. They do not completely prevent grinding, but they do prevent direct tooth-to-tooth contact, which means your teeth will not be damaged by grinding.
Botox – Botox relaxes the muscles in the jaw, and is highly effective for some patients.
Grinding Your Teeth In Lexington? Get Help From Palmetto Dental Associates
At Palmetto Dental Associates, we’re always here to help patients in Lexington and the surrounding areas get relief from bruxism and protect their teeth. If you’d like to explore your options for teeth grinding treatment, don’t wait. Contact us online or give us a call at 803-808-0888 to get the help you need today. Dr. Thomas and Dr. Shull are always accepting new patients!