Three Simple Steps to Save Your Smile From Nighttime Teeth Grinding

Save Your Smile From Grinding Teeth

Do you find yourself not sleeping well at night? Do you find your jaw is sore in the morning? You might suffer from bruxism, or nighttime teeth grinding. Bruxism is defined as unintentional teeth grinding and/or jaw clenching that happens while a person is sleeping. Some dentists suggest that 10% of the adult population has a problem with nighttime bruxism. At Metro East Dental Care in Granite City, Illinois, we can help our patients deal with bruxism and save their teeth. Read on to learn more about the causes and warning signs of teeth grinding.

Recognize the Warning Signs of Bruxism

Bruxism isn’t one size fits all. There are many warning signs. Here are some of the most common causes of bruxism:

• Stress or other mood factors, like nervousness and anxiety
• Consuming alcohol or caffeine
• Smoking
• Medications, especially those used to treat ADHD, depression, and/or seizures
  

Believe it or not, genes can also play a factor in bruxism, so if a family member has dealt with bruxism, there is a chance you might have bruxism as well.

When it comes to the common signs of bruxism, here are some things to look out for:

• Tooth pain or sensitivity
• Tooth damage, like chipped, cracked, or flattened teeth
• Worn tooth enamel, especially if the inner layers of the tooth are exposed
• Loose teeth
• Sore or tight jaw muscles, even tiredness in jaw muscles
• Headaches
• Facial soreness
• A partner noticing an unusual noise while you are sleeping

Bruxism involves the grinding of teeth and clenching of the jaw, so if you have any unusual pain or soreness in your teeth or jaw, reach out to Metro East Dental Care to schedule an appointment for a dental evaluation for bruxism. It is important to catch bruxism early so that your dentist can provide a treatment plan to keep you from grinding your teeth at night.

Get a Professional Evaluation

While you may feel the symptoms of bruxism, it’s important for a dentist to formally give you a diagnosis because there are other reasons you could have jaw pain or why your teeth may be experiencing some wear and tear. A dentist is trained to look for enamel wear on the teeth and even assess a person’s bite. From there, your dentist will be able to recommend a treatment plan, if needed.

During a formal evaluation for bruxism at Metro East Dental Care, your dentist will ask you about your medical history, which will include any jaw pain you’ve experienced and for how long. They will also ask about family history, as bruxism can be passed down through genetics. Next, your dentist will perform an evaluation of your mouth and jaw, where your teeth will be looked at, as well as your bite. Your dentist will also check your face and jaw for tenderness.

In some cases, your dentist may recommend a sleep study because teeth grinding could also be caused by sleep apnea, which needs a formal diagnosis and treatment plan.

Support Your Jaw with Lifestyle Changes

If you do suffer from bruxism, there are changes you can make to help reduce grinding. Some of those things include:

Change your behavior: Sometimes changing the way you rest your mouth and jaw can lead to a reduction in jaw clenching and teeth grinding. The more you are aware of it, the easier it is to change it. If you find you are clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth during the day, write yourself a note or set a reminder on your phone to periodically adjust the way your jaw and teeth are resting. Most people don’t realize they are clenching their jaw.

Manage your stress: Stress can do a number on our body in different ways. One way people deal with stress is by clenching their jaw or grinding their teeth. Again, often this is done without a person realizing they are doing it, so you need to make a point to realize what you’re doing and break the habit.

Have dental issues repaired: If your teeth grinding has caused chips, worn enamel, or even broken teeth, speak with your dentist about getting those teeth fixed before you start any other bruxism treatment. You want to make sure your teeth are healthy and repaired if needed. If your dentist has found that there is an issue with your jaw, like your bite being out of line, further treatment may need to be done before you can cure your bruxism.

Get a nightguard: A custom-fitted nightguard can make a world of difference for bruxism sufferers. Your dentist can custom-fit your mouth for a nightguard, which is like a mouth guard but with a space for air to pass through. The nightguard holds your teeth and jaw in place to limit jaw clenching and teeth grinding while you sleep.

While you can do most of these on your own, remember that it is important to speak with your dentist about your bruxism concerns before you make any major changes.

Schedule a Consultation at Metro East Dental Care

Bruxism doesn’t have to be a problem for your teeth and jaw. There are simple lifestyle changes you can make to help stop you from grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw. Your dentist can also offer treatments to help protect your jaw and teeth. If you are concerned that you may have bruxism, call Metro East Dental Care to schedule an appointment to discuss your symptoms and to inquire about getting fitted for a custom nightguard.