Can you wear your teeth down with clenching and grinding?
Created on December 15, 2020
If you’re waking up in the morning with a tired, sore jaw and a headache, you might be dealing with a condition that is causing you to clench and grind your teeth while you sleep. Drs. Peck, Velastegui, and Homsi of Taylor Street Dental in Springfield, MA also find that patients who struggle with this condition, also referred to as bruxism, will have unwanted wear on their natural teeth as well.
What is bruxism?
Bruxism is a condition that causes patients to clench and grind their teeth. In most situations, this occurs when a patient sleeps and is done subconsciously without patients even realizing it. The tension created from this condition often results in soreness of the jaw and chronic morning headaches. However, this condition can even be diagnosed when a dentist evaluates a patient’s smile, as other symptoms may be present, such as:
- Shifting teeth
- Worn or chipped teeth
- Broken restorations
If a patient has bruxism that is impacting their oral health and their daily quality of life, it is important to ask a dentist about what can be done. In most cases, the dentists at Taylor Street Dental will recommend the use of a special mouthguard. A mouthguard is a plastic or acrylic appliance that is worn in the mouth to protect the teeth and dental restorations from the tension of clenching and grinding. It cushions the tension and can also reduce muscle tension and pain in the jaw, therefore reducing headaches that often occur in the morning hours. With regular wear, many patients can protect their smile from their condition.
What causes bruxism?
It’s not always clear what causes this condition, but it is commonly related to high levels of stress. Patients diagnosed with bruxism should take great care in reducing their stress levels at work and home whenever possible while protecting the smile with a mouthguard while they sleep.
Are you dealing with the problems associated with bruxism?
Springfield, MA patients who are struggling with damage to the smile caused by clenching and grinding can speak to their dentist about solutions. Taylor Street Dental is conveniently located at 41 Taylor Street on the Fourth Floor and can be reached by phone to book an appointment at (413) 781-7645.
Tagged with:
