Bruxism, or teeth grinding, refers to the knee-jerk action of clenching, and grinding your teeth together which typically occurs while you sleep. Teeth grinding can cause side effects such as tooth sensitivity, headaches, broken or cracked teeth, as well as pain in the jaw. It is hard to determine whether or not you have teeth grinding problems but if you notice having a headache, jaw pains, or complaints from your roommate or partner every morning, it may point to bruxism. Teeth grinding is a widespread problem with a variety of causes. It is critical to treat it at an early stage in order to prevent potential dental problems.
How can you fix this? What is causing this problem? Our dentists at Dental Essence have the skill set and professionalism to diagnose and treat bruxism or teeth grinding. In this article, we explain all you need to know about teeth grinding complete guide.
Contents
Teeth Grinding Symptoms
If you experience teeth grinding, these are several symptoms you may have noticed.
- Painful teeth
- Headaches
- Flattening or Chipped Teeth
- Crown or Fillings Breakage
- Damaged, Cracked, or Fractured Teeth
- Ear Pains
- Facial Enlargement
- Chewing Problems
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and want to ensure the root cause of the problem is tooth grinding, it is best to consult a dentist. Our dentists at Dental Essence are always prepared to provide you with professional assistance.
Causes of Teeth Grinding
Before we get to the treatments, we must know the root cause of the problem. Some of the common reasons for teeth grinding include stress, negative emotions, drug use, alcohol intake, and certain medications. Let us dive deeper into these causes.
Stress
Many grind their teeth as a coping mechanism for a few main reasons including negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, frustration, and stress. Research has suggested that teeth grinding is most commonly connected to stress. Among the common ways of reducing stress is exercise. When you exercise, you release endorphins, which are stress-reducers. Relaxation and calming techniques such as listening to music, walking, having a warm bath, and other calming activities are also a beneficial route to explore.
Sleeping Issues
Sleep talking, snoring, and even sleep disorders can all contribute to the development of teeth grinding. Sleep apnoea is a disorder that impairs your breathing while you sleep at night. Consulting our professionals at Dental Essence for a diagnosis and treatment plan is recommended especially when your bruxism is becoming a barrier to enjoying your daily life. Even though there is no evidence to link bruxism to a single cause, it is more common in those who snore or have obstructive sleep apnoea.
Lifestyle Choices
Tobacco and alcohol usage, especially when ingested before you sleep at night, might raise your risk of teeth grinding. However, bruxism is also prevalent among young children, so this is not always the case.
Medications and Disorders
Bruxism or teeth grinding has also been related to the intake of pharmaceuticals and antidepressant side effects, as well as neurological disorders such as Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease. In these situations, you should seek medical advice from your medical professional.
How To Manage Teeth Grinding
There are a few ways that you can manage teeth grinding. The first step you must take is to monitor and take note of your symptoms. By doing so you will be able to notify your dentist, allowing an accurate diagnosis. At Dental Essence, we prioritise your comfort and do our best to ensure our patients receive the best treatments for their dental problems. Prior to a diagnosis, you may opt for the following methods to prevent teeth grinding or bruxism.
Adopt Relaxing Habits
The most common cause of bruxism is stress, and anxiety. Adopting relaxing habits such as reading, taking a relaxing bath, meditation, light exercising, and mindfulness activities can reduce stress. Channeling your negative emotions that cause stress into relaxing methods is one of the best ways to reduce teeth grinding.
Wear A Nightguard
Our professionals at Dental Essence can equip you with a night guard that can help reduce teeth grinding. A mouthguard or night guard can help prevent damage on your teeth, such as breakage and chipped teeth, by protecting your teeth. There are over the counter night guards as well as custom made ones that can be done by your dentist.
Mouth Exercises
Tongue and jaw muscle exercises are common mouth exercises. They can help you relax your jaw and face muscles while also keeping your jaw in good alignment. Consult a professional at Dental Essence to find out which exercise will work best for you.
Seek Professional Advice
Consult our professional at Dental Essence if you know you grind your teeth or believe tooth grinding is the cause of pain or other symptoms. Our professionals can check for wear on your teeth to see whether you grind them and announce the severity of the problem. Your dentist can examine your bite and alignment as well. He or she may advise you to consult a doctor for treatment of an underlying problem, depending on the probable reasons for your tooth grinding habit.
Dental Essence Clinic
At Dental Essence, an array of dental services are available to ensure your dental health. We prioritise your comfort and pledge to provide accurate and professional services for the best dental care experience. If you have dental related problems, give us a call to book a consultation where we can treat the problems at its root!
Contact
Tel: 6733 9433
Whatsapp: 8322 3982
Address
127 Tanglin Road, Tudor Court, Singapore 247922
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Monday to Friday: 9am – 6pm
Saturdays: 9am – 1pm
Sundays: Closed
Public Holidays: Closed