If you experience tooth sensitivity or jaw pain when you wake up, you may be grinding your teeth in your sleep. Teeth grinding, also called bruxism can damage the teeth and cause headaches and jaw pain. If you are facing these or other challenges, your Bellaire dentist can examine your teeth and potentially create a custom nightguard for you. Teeth grinding destroys tooth enamel, making people more susceptible to tooth decay, pain, and sleep problems. Contact Splendid Dental in Bellaire by calling 713-244-7797 if you are concerned that you may be grinding your teeth.
What Is Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding occurs when a person unconsciously grinds the top and bottom teeth together. This motion, which often causes clenching and rubbing, damages the top surface of the teeth, the gums, and the roots. Teeth grinding during sleep is the most common occurrence, but it can also occur when a person is alert. You may not even realize that you are grinding your teeth until you recognize some of this condition’s key symptoms. If you are unsure whether you may be grinding your teeth, let your dentist know. He or she can provide a full exam to determine what is occurring.
What Does Teeth Grinding Mean? Why Does It Happen?
Teeth grinding can be caused by anxiety, stress, or sleep-related issues. It can cause serious damage to teeth if the condition is ignored. A dentist in Bellaire can address the problem and provide a solution that works for you. Children are extremely susceptible to teeth grinding, which causes dental problems down the road. How do you know you have teeth-grinding problems? Some of the most common symptoms of this condition include:
- A teeth grinding headache or tooth pain
- Difficulty with opening the jaw fully
- Worn-down teeth
- A loud, crunching sound when sleeping
- Sore jaw or strained muscles in the jaw
- Trouble sleeping due to teeth grinding
Why Does Bruxism Occur?
Generally, there are two main reasons people engage in this behavior. The most common is due to stress, anxiety, or other emotional turmoil. This can occur when you are facing challenges or have unexplained fears. It can become a bad habit in childhood and continue into adulthood.
If you have dental pain or other significant pain that does not improve, it can lead to a grinding motion because of your frustration. In all cases, it’s important to treat this condition in order to reduce pain and to protect your teeth. Splendid Dental in Bellaire offers the following dental services in addition to bruxism treatment:
What Can Be Done to Improve Teeth Grinding?
This is very much an individual situation. Treating sleep apnea may help limit teeth grinding. Our team may recommend the use of an oral appliance that is fitted into the mouth at night. It does not always stop you from grinding your teeth, but it can stop the breakdown and damage to the teeth that so often occurs with this condition. In that way, it can prevent jaw pain, headaches, and tooth sensitivity.
How Do I Stop Grinding my Teeth?
Teeth grinding can be challenging, but our team can offer solutions for teeth grinding during day and nighttime hours. Bruxism doesn’t have to damage your teeth. If you have symptoms of this condition, your dentist can help.
Splendid is Bellaire’s Favorite Dentist Office!
At Splendid Dental Bellaire in Houston, we offer solutions for teeth grinding that can give you the relief you desire. We are conveniently located in Bellaire near Urban Social, 7 Leaves Cafe, and Chipotle. Contact us today by calling 713-244-7797 to learn more.