Don’t Let Teeth Clenching Grind on Your Health

If you’re yourself grinding your teeth on a regular basis, it’s more than a minor habit because it can lead to major problems. It’s actually a disorder called bruxism. While it sometimes subsides on its own, find out how to end teeth grinding now before it does undue damage.

Causes of Teeth Grinding and Clenching

Teeth grinding can occur for many reasons. For some, it’s a response to stress or anger. For others, it’s due to dental issues such as bite misalignment or damaged teeth. Regardless of the cause, the harmful habit can occur during the day or at night while you’re sleeping. And bruxism not only strikes adults, but is commonly seen in children, too. Interestingly, kids tend to experience the problem as their baby teeth start emerging and when their permanent teeth begin coming in. Luckily for kids, the problem seems to naturally subside these two sets of teeth have settled. For adults, teeth grinding may go away by itself, but it also can be an ongoing issue that requires professional dental or medical treatment.

10 Effects of Bruxism

Bruxism is more than an inconvenience. Severe cases of teeth grinding and clenching can lead to significant medical and dental problems while causing psychological stress. Ten common effects of an ongoing bruxism problem are:

1. Headaches
2. Earaches
3. Worn teeth
4. Loose teeth
5. Missing teeth
6. Broken teeth
7. Jaw pain
8. Jaw joint damage
9. Joint disorders like TMJ
10. Facial changes

Treating Teeth Grinding Problems

There are many ways to manage teeth grinding to dissolve your distress and discomfort. The solutions depend on the causes, so you may be referred to a psychologist or sleep specialist for the ideal treatment. But relax and realize that the condition can be easily treated with this wide range of techniques:

• Learn how to manage stress.
• Exercise daily to relieve tension.
• Relax your jaw when it’s tense.
• Remind yourself not to clench your teeth.
• Protect against nighttime teeth grinding and clenching with a mouth guard.
• Stay away from caffeine and alcohol, which can cause physical and mental agitation.
• Seek psychological counseling to deal with the underlying causes of teeth grinding.
• Take medication for relaxation or depression.

To get the dental care you deserve from an affordable dentist in Owings Mills, call Valley Dental Associates today at (443) 898-1240 or make an appointment.