How to Know and Stop the Grinding of Teeth

1. How to Know and Stop the Grinding of Teeth Among many dental issues, tooth grinding can be considered a serious one. Also called bruxism, it is supposedly a common dental condition that affects both children and adults. It can happen for a variety of reasons, including stress, whether you are sleeping or awake. If you suffer from this dental ailment, you should visit your nearby dental clinic, say the Northcote dental clinic if you happen to stay at Northcote, and consult a dental professional at the earliest. This blog describes the reasons for teeth grinding and how one can learn about them.

2. How to Know If You're Grinding Your Teeth There are a few ways to determine if you suffer from the problem of tooth grinding. It is important to be aware of the same and seek treatment instead of ignoring them and suffering the consequences. · Pain and discomfort in the jaw, neck, and face · Low-grade headaches · Ear aches · Difficult to open and close your mouth · Teeth get worn out or damaged · Chipped or broken teeth · Tooth sensitivity · Gum recession · Waking up with a sore jaw · Told by your partner · Realising yourself while doing i t If you're experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it's important to talk to your dentist, say a Northcote dentist. He or she will examine your teeth and find out if you are indeed grinding your teeth. Why Should You Address the Issue of Teeth Grinding? Since grinding teeth is often associated with jaw pain, people suffering from it want immediate relief. Also, as mentioned earlier, grinding your teeth can cause low-grade headaches, difficulty chewing, and discomfort in the jaw region. The problem can cause wear and tear on your teeth, making it increasingly difficult to chew, or even leave your teeth susceptible to breaking and forming cavities. What Causes Teeth Grinding? Although the exact causes of teeth grinding or bruxism are yet to be understood in their entirety, there are several factors that are known to contribute to this issue. So, some of the common causes of tooth grinding include the following: · Stress and anxiety · Abnormal alignment of the teeth · Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea · Medications such as antidepressants · Alcohol and drug abuse How to Stop Teeth Grinding To stop the grinding of teeth, there can be several steps recommended by your dentist, like the one at the Northcote High Street Clinic. In fact, the dentist may help you by recommending a customised plan that is right for you. Some of the steps of that plan are mentioned below: Wearing a Night Guard: Grinding your teeth while you are asleep can be potentially risky, which can otherwise be prevented by wearing a night guard. A night guard, which is

3. also a customised appliance, can be fitted over your teeth to prevent your upper and lower teeth from grinding against each other while you are asleep. Stress Management: Stress has turned out to be a big causative factor for many health issues, including teeth grinding. When you are stressed, you may clench your teeth, often unconsciously. This can put pressure on your teeth and jaw, and lead to a host of dental issues, including tooth fractures, tooth sensitivity, and tooth wear. Stress and anxiety can also cause muscle tension in the jaw, which can aggravate the grinding of teeth. For instance, when the jaw muscles are tightened, they can turn the jaw into a clenched position, further exacerbating the problem. Thus, managing stress can be helpful in reducing the problem of tooth grinding. Here, the steps to manage may include relaxation and exercise. Misaligned Teeth: Since misaligned teeth can create an uneven bite, it can make a person clench or grind his or her teeth in order to have a comfortable bite. This may result in excess pressure on certain teeth, causing wear and tear to the enamel and pain in the jaw, neck, and face. Also, misaligned teeth can create changes in the joints and muscles that control jaw movement, leading to tension and strain. As the jaw muscles become fatigued and overworked, the tension can cause bruxism. So, to relieve you of such a problem, the dentist, say the Northcote dentist, may recommend a specific dental treatment to cure the problem. Medications: There can be several medications that your dentist may prescribe to treat the problem of teeth grinding. For instance, the dentist may recommend muscle relaxants, such as cyclobenzaprine or benzodiazepines, to relax the jaw muscles. Antidepressants may also be prescribed to relieve stress or anxiety. Alternatively, the dentist may prescribe botulinum toxin injections, aka botox, which block the nerve signals to the muscles, thereby alleviating the symptoms of teeth grinding. Lifestyle Changes: The various lifestyle changes to adopt may include avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco, using stress reduction techniques, dental devices, and behavioural therapy. Conclusion Although tooth grinding can be a painful and annoying condition, it is treatable and can be efficiently controlled. However, it is important to consult your dentist, say at the Northcote dental clinic, right away if you think you could be grinding your teeth. The dentist at the clinic can assist you by determining the reason behind teeth grinding and creating a customised treatment plan for you. However, keep in mind that by acting quickly, you can protect your teeth from future harm and enhance your general dental health. Source: https://northcotefamilydental.blogspot.com/2023/05/how-to- know-and-stop-grinding-of-teeth.html

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