Teeth grinding is a condition that has been afflicting many people without them even realizing they do it. Not being much of a harmless annoyance, it may lead to rather major dental health problems unless treated. In this blog, we’re going to explore what teeth grinding is, why it happens, and how you can conquer it, all with the focus being on proper dental care. Whether you are a patient in need of treatment for teeth grinding, or having teeth whitening in Mt. Vernon, NY.
What is Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)?
Teeth grinding is the unconscious clenching or grinding of the teeth, often during sleep but also at other times during the day. Minor as it may seem, persistent teeth grinding can lead to serious dental complications like gum damage, jaw pain, headaches, and TMJ disorders. Almost anyone can get bruxism, but most of the time, it is emotionally related or medically brought about.
There are essentially two different types of bruxism:
Sleep Bruxism: Grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep. Since most people don’t realize they’re doing it, until much of the damage has been done, most people don’t know that they have it.
Awakened Bruxism: Grinding or clenching of the teeth during the day, usually in reaction to stress or tension.
Why Do People Grind Their Teeth?
There is no specific cause of bruxism, but most of the time it has a combination of physical, psychological and genetic causes. Given below are the most common causes for which people grind their teeth:
1. Stress and Anxiety
The most common etiology of bruxism is stress or anxiety. You are likely to experience clenched jawness, especially at night when you have the body held up in tension during significant periods of stress. This could be due to daily stressors, work pressure, or personal life challenges that have you subconsciously clenching or grinding your teeth.
2. Sleep Disorders
Bruxism is sometimes associated with a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder that makes the breathing cycles of the person repeatedly stop and then resume in his or her sleep. It has also been observed that many patients diagnosed with the disorder grind their teeth. Interruptions of sleep patterns can trigger this as a reflexive response to obstructions of the airways.
3. Abnormal Bite and Crooked Teeth
If the teeth are incorrectly aligned, an improper bite may result, and this may lead to grinding since your mouth would try to compensate by finding a natural positioning for your teeth. An untreated improper bite may lead to more severe dental problems, for example, cracked or chipped teeth.
4. Medications and Other Conditions
Some of them are antidepressants, which has been associated with a possible greater risk of developing teeth grinding. Moreover, bruxism also has been associated with other medical conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, GERD or acid reflux, and ADHD.
How to Stop Bruxism
Good news is that the grinding of the teeth is manageable with the right approach and treatment plan. Issues may be addressed at their roots, and some practical tips followed to reduce symptoms and avoid further damage from teeth grinding. Here are several effective ways to stop teeth grinding:
1. Reduce Stress
Since stress and anxiety are huge causes of bruxism, one must learn how to manage stress. Techniques that reduce the tension, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can all help decrease the level of stress. Second, he is conscious of clenching or grinding in his waking state if he consciously practices mindfulness throughout the day.
If the grinding is caused by stress, you may benefit by seeing a therapist or counselor. Discussing your sources of stress and learning how to cope with them may help minimize the chances of grinding at night.
2. Buy a Night Guard
One of the best solutions for prevention of damage by grinding teeth at night is a night guard. A protective mouthpiece designed by a dentist to be worn at night, serves as an interpositional cushion between the upper and lower teeth, thereby protecting your teeth from grinding damage—even though it is not intended to stop grinding itself.
One of the reliable dental care in Mt. Vernon, NY, offers individually crafted night guards for bruxism sufferers. A custom-made night guard will fit you perfectly and therefore give you more protection than those products bought over-the-counter.
3. Straighten Up Your Teeth
If your teeth grinding is brought about by a misaligned bite, its correction using orthodontic treatment can help reduce grinding. This gradually shifts your teeth to align them in such a way that you’ll have less likelihood of grinding. Your dentist will then consider whether or not a misaligned bite triggers bruxism and advise you on the appropriate course of treatment.
4. Change Sleeping Habit
Poor sleeping posture, especially sleeping on your back, may result in grinding teeth. Try sleeping on your side or stomach since sleeping in these positions might reduce your chances of grinding during the night. Finally, having a comfortable and supportive pillow may assist in relieving neck and jaw tension, which can indirectly reduce bruxism.
5. Avoid Stimulants
Avoid stimulants as they may make you teeth-grind more: such beverages include caffeine and alcohol. Other stimulants may also cause this problem because your teeth can be triggered to grind in the middle of the night by them. These stimulants should be avoided at or before bedtime. Other stimulants include caffeine and alcohol: these can cause anxiety and spasms in your muscles and disturb your sleeping pattern. Always limit their usage, especially at or before your bedtime.
6. Practice Jaw Relaxation Techniques
Massaging the muscles of the jaw at bedtime might prevent grinding. Applying warmth or stretching gently near the jaw can also ease the pain in that area. In scenarios where bruxism has already led to jaw pain and TMJ disorders, the utilization of relaxation techniques can bring relief and overall improvement in the condition.
Dental Care Measures in Overcoming Teeth Grinding
Proper dental care plays a significant role in controlling and preventing the damaging effects of teeth grinding. Regular dental check-ups enable your dentist to identify early bruxism signs, including worn-out tooth enamel, chips, or fractures. That way, they can advise treatments like night guards or dental realignment to keep your teeth safe.
Keeping your mouth healthy from our Mt. Vernon, NY dental care providers here at Aurora Smiles. Perhaps you’re interested in personalized treatment for grinding, or even just other services like teeth whitening in Mt. Vernon, NY: our dental care professionals provide empathetic, high-quality treatment that will help your healthy smile shine and should shine.
Conclusion
Although very common, tooth grinding could lead to serious dental problems if left unchecked. From stress and sleep disorders to misalignment, the reasons for bruxism abound, but so do remedies. The first steps to manage this issue include addressing stress, wearing a night guard, and taking care of dental problems to prevent the long-term consequences of teeth grinding.
At Aurora Smiles, under the expert guidance of Dr. Amul Patel, we recognize that everyone needs individualized treatment for bruxism to ensure your teeth remain healthy. We offer a wide range of dental care in Mt. Vernon, NY—from night guards tailored to your needs to teeth whitening treatments—so you can be assured that your oral health is in the best possible hands.
Take a step towards a healthy smile by booking your first consultation at Aurora Smiles today! Your smile is worth it.