What Causes Teeth Grinding?

A whopping 30 million to 40 million Americans grind their teeth. This alarming statistic could mean that you are also one of those people.

Teeth grinding is also referred to as bruxism. When not treated, bruxism symptoms can be quite severe.

Are you grinding your teeth without realizing it? Is it really all that bad?

Let’s dig deeper into what causes teeth grinding and why it is a serious condition.

What Is Teeth Grinding?

Teeth grinding refers to when you clench or gnash your teeth together. This happens predominantly when you sleep, but it can also happen when you’re awake and don’t even know it.

Sometimes bruxism pairs with sleep apnea, meaning you stop breathing or have pauses between breathing when you sleep. You may be clenching or grinding your teeth then, too.

No one starts teeth grinding without a reason. Often, you may begin tooth clenching due to anxiety, stress, or some other tension. This tension then manifests as teeth grinding, unfortunately.

There are signs of bruxism symptoms that you should keep in mind to know if you are tooth grinding in your sleep or not.

What Are Bruxism Symptoms?

The symptoms of tooth grinding vary, but they can include the following:

• feelings of pain or sensitivity in your teeth
• teeth have worn down to stumps
• teeth grinding so loud that your partner wakes up
• fracturing teeth
• problems with your jaw muscles
• more frequent headaches

These are only a few of the never-ending list of bruxism symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is time to consult your dentist about your teeth grinding.

There are some options for treatment as well.

How Can People Prevent Teeth Grinding?

If you want to prevent your teeth from grinding, you need to consider a treatment option. Remember to consult your dentist first to get a professional opinion about the appropriate path forward.

First, investing in mouth guards is a great way to help prevent teeth grinding. While it may not stop you from grinding your teeth, it helps protect your teeth.

If you believe your teeth grinding is stress-related, you can pursue treatment options in the form of mental health counseling or even getting a prescription for muscle relaxants. These may help lower your likelihood of bruxism.

You can also stop drinking caffeine and alcohol so frequently. In addition, you can avoid foods high in sugar, like chocolate. Often, these can increase your bruxism.

Get Help for Teeth Grinding Today

Since so much of the population suffers from teeth grinding, know that you are not alone. There are plenty of ways to help you avoid teeth grinding and to receive treatment. Just make sure to speak with your dental professional about options before you do anything.

Looking for more tips on health and wellness for your teeth? Check out the rest of our blog for other articles and topics, too!