Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, is a habit that many people don’t know they have. This is because the teeth grinding generally occurs at night. Many find out that they have teeth-grinding problems because they wake up with a dull headache or a sore jaw. Their spouses or partners also tell them about the habit after the grinding has woken them up. If you are one who participates in this habit, please do everything you can to receive treatment quickly.
There are many causes, risks, and treatments associated with bruxism, including:
Causes
The causes behind teeth-grinding habits can vary for adults and children. For adults, causes generally include stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, an abnormal bite, misaligned teeth, and missing teeth. For children, causes generally include irritations in the mouth, allergies, and misaligned teeth. However, children’s teeth and jaws tend to move and shift quickly, which is beneficial because once they hit their teen years, they usually quit the habit.
Risks
If the teeth grinding is not treated, you can suffer from many things, like:
· Headaches
· Jaw soreness
· Toothaches
· Loose teeth
· Fractured teeth
Treatments
There are many treatments available for teeth-grinding habits. The main treatment is generally the use of a night guard. If you wear a night guard while you sleep, your teeth will be protected. Another treatment is relaxation medication. This medication helps you relax so you no longer clench and grind your teeth. If a sleep disorder is causing the habit, there are also treatments available for that specific issue.
For more information about teeth grinding or if you would like to talk to Dr. Eric Goldberg about treatment, please call Eric Goldberg, DDS Family & General Dentistry at 610-363-6181 now and schedule an appointment. We are happy to help you in any way we can!