If you find you are grinding your teeth, there can be many causes and you may not always be aware you are doing it. Tooth grinding or clenching can happen subconsciously while you are asleep, due to:
1. Stress and anxiety
2. Certain medications
3. Poor sleep
4. Your teeth bite not being right
5. Habit
How will I know if I grind my teeth?
You may be aware you grind your teeth, as you wake up with your teeth clenched or a headache. Sometimes people don’t realise until their partner mentions they can hear their teeth grinding at night or their dentist notices excessive tooth wear.
If you wake up with headaches, have painful jaw joints or have noticeable wear or sensitivity on your teeth – speak to your dentist. They will be able to identify tooth grinding and the probable cause.
What effect will this have on my teeth?
Tooth grinding will cause excessive wear of the protective enamel layer on your teeth. This can make teeth painful and sensitive and even look more aged and uneven.
You may find you also suffer with painful jaw joints and headaches – especially in the morning.
What can I do about it?
There are various treatments for tooth grinding, depending on the cause. The options are:
1. A dental splint to relieve the strain on your teeth and give added protection
2. Orthodontic treatment to improve your bite and make sure your bite is evenly distributed
3. Composite bonding to restore any lost enamel and protect your teeth from future wear.
4. Botox in your facial muscles to help them relax and reduce pain.
If you are concerned about tooth grinding, please speak to one of our dentists.