Bruxism is an involuntary habit of grinding your teeth. Typically, a person with bruxism grinds their teeth during their sleep. There are several causes for bruxism. People can grind their teeth due to an abnormal bite. Some people grind their teeth as a result of crooked, misaligned, or missing teeth.
Sleep disorders are also to blame for bruxism. Sometimes we see patients with sleep apnea who also grind their teeth when they sleep. Patients who grind their teeth may suffer from discomfort in their jaw. The pain can be described as a dull ache, and most likely it will be felt upon waking. It is not uncommon to have a headache first thing in the morning or even have a gritty taste in your mouth if you suffer from bruxism.
Reduce Triggers of All Types
There are several things you can do to reduce bruxism. If you sleeping partner has commented on your nighttime teeth grinding or teeth clenching habits, it is time to take note of these suggestions. It is important to take proactive measures as bruxism can lead to more serious problems in the jaw.
Reducing stress is the top trigger to bruxism. Make sure you plan time away from work each day. If that is impossible, take a few deep breaths at your next coffee break. Take a walk in the woods as often as you can and choose to be grateful for your circumstances.
Another tip is to get a mouth guard. The mouth guard will retain your teeth as well as help to protect them from bruxism.
Schedule Your Routine Cleaning and Exam
Make sure to schedule your next cleaning and exam. We can look for signs of bruxism and help you mitigate this problem if you already experience it. Plus, we can share some tips to help reduce the symptoms that lead to this chronic issue.
Singing River Dentistry | About Us | Florence, AL At Singing River Dentistry, we look forward to helping patients improve their smiles and oral health at our Florence location. Learn more here. Singing River Dentistry, 2604 Hough Rd, Florence, AL 35630 ^ 256-712-3549 ^ florence.singingriverdentistry.com ^ 12/18/2024 ^ Related Phrases: dentist Florence AL ^