Teeth grinding and jaw clenching (also called bruxism) is often related to stress or anxiety. It doesn't always cause symptoms but some people get facial pain and headaches, and it can wear down your teeth over time. Most people who grind their teeth and clench their jaw aren't aware they're doing it. It often happens during sleep or while concentrating or under stress.
Signs and symptoms of teeth grinding:
- Facial pain
- Headaches
- Ear ache
- Pain or stiffness in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles
- Disrupted sleep
- Worn down teeth/broken teeth (which can then cause sensitivity)
If you experience any of the above symptoms it is best to get it checked out by your dentist.
Why should you see a dentist to treat this problem?
Simply managing the symptoms won’t solve the underlying problem. Bruxism can lead to serious dental health issues such as worn or broken teeth requiring fillings or crowns, loose teeth (and even tooth loss), as well as further pain and discomfort that might not be as easily remedied.
What will we do at your appointment?
Although we cannot stop you grinding your teeth we can consider pain-free, non-invasive treatment, during a dental consultation.
- We will check your jaw joint, teeth and muscles.
- We will discuss options of treatment
What can do done to help with teeth grinding?
- We can create a mouth guard to be worn at night.
- We will recommend an orthodontic solution if required.
- We can discuss any sources of stress that might be causing the bruxism and make recommendations to help you reduce anxiety.