What Is Bruxism & How Do I Stop Grinding My Teeth

Bruxism or teeth grinding involves grinding your teeth or clenching your jaws together. It usually occurs during your sleep. This is also referred to as nocturnal bruxism. If this happens during the day, it’s called awake bruxism. Bruxism can lead to issues with your teeth and your jaw. Bruxism can often cause headaches and damage the crowns of teeth. Teeth grinding can be treated via various remedies, but the right solution depends on what is causing the bruxism in the first place.

How does Bruxism Develop?

Grinding teeth during the daytime or, awake bruxism, can be caused by several emotions like stress, anger, frustration, or tension. It is common for individuals to clench their teeth when they are feeling an intense emotion. In addition, it could be your unintentional habit while you focus or concentrate. Nocturnal bruxism can have a variety of causes. Like with awake bruxism, excess stress may be a factor, but in some cases, nocturnal bruxism is simply a habit that many people have.

Bruxism Treatments 

Many dentists do not actually recommend bruxism treatments for children and teenagers. Many teens and kids grow out of bruxism as they age, and there is rarely any permanent damage done. However, if the problem persists, there are a variety of dental approaches to treating bruxism.

Mouth Guards 

Mouthguards also called grind guards are designed to keep the teeth separated while you sleep. This can prevent damage to the surface of your teeth that occurs when your teeth grind together.

Stress or anxiety management

Because teeth grinding is often associated with stress and anger, learning to manage these emotions can be an effective treatment. Working with a therapist to improve how you respond to stressful or annoying stimuli can decrease the presence of bruxism. Plus, reducing stress has many other health benefits.

Medications

Medication is not commonly used to treat bruxism. Most medical solutions are temporary and may not address the root cause of the issue. However, they can be effective for short-term solutions. Your dentist or doctor might recommend botox injections. Botox has many uses beyond cosmetics. The toxin in Botox relaxes muscles in the face which can temporarily decrease the effects of bruxism. If your bruxism is related to stress, some dentists may recommend that you speak to a doctor about depression/anxiety. This may lead to using medication designed to reduce stress.

Side Effects of Bruxism

You can suffer from multiple side effects like:

• Severe headache
• Persistent pain in your jaws, ears, and face
• Toothache and fractured teeth
• Damage to your filling and tooth-crown

Schedule A Dental Appointment in Revere

If you or your child is dealing with Bruxism, we would be happy to discuss treatment options and give you our professional opinion at our office in Revere Massachusetts. Contact All Pro Dental Services to set up an appointment for a member of your family.