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Do You Grind Your Teeth at Night?
Treat Bruxism in Little Silver & Red Bank
Bruxism, or the grinding of teeth, is remarkably common in children and adults. For some people, this tooth grinding is limited to daytime hours, but nighttime grinding (during sleep) is most prevalent. Bruxism can lead to a wide range of dental problems, depending on the frequency of the behavior, the intensity of the grinding, and the underlying causes of the grinding.
A wide range of psychological, physiological, and physical factors may lead children to brux. In particular, jaw misalignment (bad bite), stress, and traumatic brain injury are all thought to contribute to bruxism, although grinding can also occur as a side effect of certain medications.
What are some symptoms of bruxism?
● Frequent complaints of headache.● Injured teeth and gums.● Loud grinding or clicking sounds.● Rhythmic tightening or clenching of the jaw muscles.● Unusual complaints about painful jaw muscles – especially in the morning.● Unusual tooth sensitivity to hot and cold foods.
How can bruxism damage my child’s teeth?
Bruxism is characterized by the grinding of the upper jaw against the lower jaw. Especially in cases where there is vigorous grinding, the you may experience moderate to severe jaw discomfort, headaches, and ear pain. Even if you are completely unaware of nighttime bruxing, the condition of the teeth provides your dentist with important clues.
First, chronic grinders usually show an excessive wear pattern on the teeth. If jaw misalignment is the cause, tooth enamel may be worn down in specific areas. In addition, people who brux are more susceptible to chipped teeth, facial pain, gum injury, and temperature sensitivity. In extreme cases, frequent, harsh grinding can lead to the early onset of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
What causes bruxism?
Bruxism can be caused by several different factors. Most commonly, “bad bite” or jaw misalignment promotes grinding. Dentists also notice that people tend to brux more frequently in response to life stressors. Also, children with certain developmental disorders and brain injuries may be at particular risk for grinding.
How is bruxism treated?
In general, the cause of the grinding dictates the treatment approach. If your teeth are badly misaligned, your dentist may take steps to correct this, including recommending sure smile clear aligners.
In cases where your teeth are sustaining significant damage, your dentist may suggest a specialized nighttime dental appliance such as a nighttime mouth guard. Mouth guards stop tooth surfaces from grinding against each other, and look similar to a mouthpiece a person might wear during sports. Bite splints or bite plates fulfill the same function and are almost universally successful in preventing grinding damage.