Do you grind your teeth? If you do, then you may be surprised to find out you’re not alone. Most people grind their teeth occasionally but only a few suffer from persistent teeth grinding, known as bruxism. Treating the issue is essential as the disorder damages the teeth and increases the risk of decay and infection.
Find Out If You Grind Your Teeth
- True or False: You may develop toothaches if you grind your teeth.
- True or False: Stress can lead to bruxism.
- True or False: You can take steps to ease symptoms.
- True or False: The doctor may recommend an oral appliance.
Answer Key
- True. The pressure of constant teeth grinding can lead to tooth sensitivity, toothaches, headaches, facial and jaw pain, and earaches. You should be aware of these symptoms because many people only grind their teeth at night. If you experience one of more of these common warning signs then please contact our office today.
- True. Common causes of teeth grinding include high levels of day-to-day anxiety, tooth loss, misalignment, TMJ disorder, or injury to the jaw or face. The doctor will decide which treatment to recommend based on the causes of the patient’s bruxism.
- True. You can try applying a warm compress to the side of the face to ease discomfort and relax the jaw joints. You should also avoid hard or chewy foods, as the repetitive actions can actually exacerbate symptoms. Finally, we highly recommend taking steps to alleviate stress in your life.
- True. Treatment may just be an oral appliance. The device will look like a nightguard and be worn during sleep, placing a barrier between the upper and lower teeth and protecting your smile from further damage. If you have any questions about our bruxism treatment then talk to our office today.
