Are you guilty of grinding your teeth? This may not seem like a problem that demands your attention, but the effects on your teeth are serious.
Why do people grind their teeth? This can be caused by stress or anxiety. Other reasons include an abnormal bite, crooked, or missing teeth. Some patients may even grind their teeth at night when they’re sleeping.
You can learn whether you are grinding your teeth or not when you wake up to a headache or sore jaw. Other patients have loved ones that notify them about their teeth grinding habits at night.
Is bruxism (teeth grinding) harmful? Doing this chronically can cause loosening or fractured teeth. Your enamel will also be weakened and teeth will appear shorter. In these cases, major work needs to be done, including root canal treatment (RCT), dental bridges, implants, crowns, and dentures.
If you wish to stop bruxism, your best option would be to schedule a visit with your dentist. A mouth guard can be provided that helps prevent teeth grinding during sleep.
