Bruxism, or grinding/clenching your teeth, affects over sixty million Americans. This can occur while you are sleeping or awake, with about 20% of the population grinding their teeth during the day and 8% grinding their teeth at night. There are different causes of bruxism, yet the most common is stress and anxiety. Other factors include genetics, sleep disorders, dehydration, dental problems such as misalignment, and more. However, it is estimated that nearly 70% of all bruxism cases can be traced back to stress and anxiety.
Sometimes people do not even know they are grinding their teeth! If you are experiencing bruxism during the night, signs include insomnia, jaw pain, and sensitive teeth. When waking up, if you start to notice these symptoms, see a dental professional as soon as possible. Grinding your teeth may not seem like a big deal, but overtime it can cause a lot of problems. As your jaw can exert nearly 300 pounds of pressure, your teeth are clearly at risk of being negatively affected. One of the main problems associated with bruxism is enamel loss. Despite your enamel being the strongest tissue in your body, the massive amount of pressure that is being exerted upon your tooth is too much for the enamel to bear.
Luckily, if you notice you are grinding your teeth early on, the damage will not be great enough to cause problems. You should discuss with your dentist the best course of action, whether it be behavioral therapy to help relax if it is due to stress or the use of a dental night guard. Typically, grinding your teeth is a fixable solution through mainly holistic methods; if your bruxism is severe, your dentist may prescribe certain drug therapies.
If you notice that you are grinding your teeth or think you are at night, schedule an appointment with Chicago Smile Design today!
Courtesy of: Pro Teeth Guard
