Many people grind their teeth at night without realizing it, but family dentists can often tell. Grinding, also known as bruxism, can result in discomfort and visible damage. The following guide outlines what you need to know about why people grind their teeth, how it affects oral health, and what you can do to address it.  

What Causes Teeth Grinding?

People grind or clench their teeth for a number of reasons, including anxiety and stress. However, it’s also possible for an abnormal bite, missing or crooked teeth, or sleep apnea to contribute to the behavior. While not everyone who grinds their teeth knows they do it, signs of the habit may include a sore jaw upon waking, headaches, and gum tenderness.

Why Is It Important to Address It?

Chronic grinding can wear teeth down over time, weakening enamel, causing sensitivity, and potentially leading to issues such as fractures and loosening. Eventually, teeth may even shift and need restorative care to maintain their normal function. Family dentists typically use crowns, root canals, bridges, implants, or dentures to address bruxism-related damage. If left unaddressed, teeth grinding can also lead to or exacerbate temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), in which the jaw muscles or joints become injured.

Luckily, bruxism is often controllable. The proper course of treatment will depend on the root cause of the habit. For example, controlling stress or anxiety through healthy means such as meditations, yoga, and cognitive behavioral therapy can alleviate bruxism caused by tension. Having your family dentist resolve any misalignments or missing teeth can combat other cases, while mouth guards or other apparatuses can be effective in people with sleep apnea.

If you wake up with headaches or jaw pain and believe you’re grinding your teeth at night, the team from Blome Family Dentistry will help you identify the cause and most effective treatment. Serving Lancaster County, NE, family dentist Dr. Greg Blome, DDS, and his caring staff offer a broad range of preventive care and treatments, along with affordable financing options. Explore their full list of services online or call (402) 483-7000 to schedule an appointment.