Bruxism can occur while asleep or awake and is characterized by gnashing, clenching, or grinding the teeth together. In most cases, those living with bruxism are not even aware they are doing it! Reach out to a dentist in Southside Chicago.
Bruxism can cause a range of issues, including
- Tooth sensitivity
- Fracturing or chipping of the teeth
- Excessive wear of the tooth enamel
- Pain or soreness in the jaw, face, or ears
- Soreness or tiredness of the jaw muscles
- Injuries from biting the tongue or inside of the mouth
- Difficulty sleeping for you or your partner (due to the noise generated by grinding)
What Causes Tooth Grinding
Although the medical community has not identified a specific cause for bruxism, certain factors seem to aggravate the condition. These include excessive stress or anger, mental health conditions that cause hyperactivity, tooth or jaw alignment issues, and side effects of certain medications.
How to Alleviate Tooth Grinding
If you know you are suffering from bruxism or you think you might be, you should start by speaking to your dentist. Your dental team can confirm that you are grinding your teeth, assess the damage caused by it, and suggest a course of treatment. If your bruxism is caused by tooth or jaw alignment issues, orthodontic treatment can reposition the teeth to prevent grinding. In some cases, jaw surgery may be necessary.
For those with normal teeth and jaws, wearing a mouthguard at night can protect the teeth from coming into contact with one another during grinding episodes and prevent damage or excessive wear.
Of course, because there may be a psychological component to bruxism, there is only so much your dentist can do to resolve the issue. Your doctor may be able to offer other solutions, including muscle relaxers or Botox injections in the jaw. You may also want to consider seeing a counselor who can help you identify issues like excessive anxiety or stress that can contribute to bruxism.
Some lifestyle changes may also help. You can try cutting out caffeine, alcohol, and smoking that may aggravate your condition. Stress management techniques are another option, including yoga and meditation.
For better results, try a general dentist in Midway. At American Dental, we can be your first line of defense against bruxism. If you have issues with teeth grinding, schedule an appointment with our team right away to confirm the condition and assess the damage it has already caused. Your dentist may suggest orthodontics, mouthguards, surgery, or other options to address the physical aspects of bruxism.
They may also refer you to a doctor or counselor who can identify other potential causes and treatments. We have 8 locations in the area to serve you, so contact us to find the one that is most convenient for you and schedule your appointment today!