Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is damaging to the teeth. This dental health issue leads to pain and damage to the structure of the teeth, especially when the grinding of teeth continues over a long period of time. Some people may not know it’s happening but may wake up with pain – including intense teeth grinding headache. The best treatment is to come in to see a dentist at Lovett Dental Corpus Christi for immediate help.
What Does Teeth Grinding Happen?
Grinding of the teeth, or sometimes gnashing or clenching the jaw, can happen for many reasons. For people who have awake bruxism, which means these actions happen during the day, the causes typically relate to anger, frustration, stress, or anxiety. This is a type of coping mechanism that some people develop over time. Most often, they do not know the grinding of teeth is occurring.
Sleep bruxism is a bit different. Teeth grinding at night is a condition related to a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea. It happens when the brain is slightly woken up at night, even if you do not know it’s happening. This can lead to grinding and even teeth grinding headache in the morning.
What Damage Can Bruxism Cause?
Teeth grinding pain may be fleeting. In the morning, it may dissipate over a short period. However, the consequences typically include:
- Damage to the teeth as well as crowns or any restorations present
- Damage to the jaw and TMJ
- Severe facial or jaw pain
- Teeth grinding headaches, or tension-related headaches
- Misalignment of the teeth
- Tooth loss in extreme situations
More so, grinding of teeth is not comfortable. It often feels painful, especially over time. If you suspect you are engaging in this, it’s best to seek out treatment right away.
How Can Teeth Grinding in Sleep Be Improved?
For those who have to grind teeth at night, treatment involves overcoming the sleep disorder. This may involve a sleep study to determine if sleep apnea is present. There are treatments for this, including devices we can customize for you to fit into your mouth. Additionally, we can offer guards that fit between the teeth to reduce friction, eliminating the risk of damage to the mouth from the grinding.
How Can Teeth Grinding During the Day Be Improved?
The best treatment here is to work to reduce stress and anxiety. Treating the underlying cause is important. This may mean being more conscious of your actions and limiting how often you flex your jaw or grind your teeth.
How Can Your Dental Health Team Help?
Teeth grinding treatment is important to protect the structural integrity of your smile. If you do not come in for treatment, you may end up with damage to your teeth, including an increased risk of infection. We can offer treatment that minimizes the negative outcomes. You may benefit from treatment such as:
- Teeth cleaning services
- Crowns to repair damage to the teeth
- Dental guards to prevent ongoing friction
- Treatment for any damaged teeth
- Teeth alignment solutions as needed
A full dental visit along with an x-ray can provide insight into the types of solutions that may help you. To learn how we can help you, schedule a general dentistry visit, and let’s talk about the cause of your bruxism.
Seek Treatment Today by Calling Lovett Dental Corpus Christi
Bruxism is the type of condition that can cause intense pain and discomfort. Teeth grinding may not improve on its own, leading to the need for treatment. If you ignore the grinding of teeth or that pounding headache, it could lead to ongoing damage. Instead, seek out help from our team at Lovett Dental Corpus Christi. Contact us now at 361-986-1117 or reach out online for immediate help.