"Just grin and bear it", is often the advice we are given to cope with stress. If you take it literally, the result could be grinding your teeth or clenching your jaws. It's called bruxism, and often it happens as you sleep.
To protect your teeth we can fit you with a mouth guard to wear during sleep. In some cases, your physician may recommend taking a muscle relaxant before bedtime. If stress is the cause, you need to find a way to relax. Meditation, counseling, and exercise can all help reduce stress and anxiety.
Teeth grinding is common in children. However, because their teeth and jaws change and grow so quickly it is not usually a damaging habit that requires treatment and most outgrow it by adolescence.
If you're concerned about your child's teeth grinding or your own, please contact us at 937-434-8870 or [email protected].