Are You Grinding Your Teeth at Night?

Clenching and grinding your teeth is a normal part of life for most people at some point, especially during stressful situations. However, teeth grinding can be a problem when it becomes excessive and causes damage to your teeth and jaw joint (TMJ). What's worse is that many people grind their teeth at night while they sleep, and they may not even be aware that they're doing it.

Symptoms of Teeth Grinding

Some of the symptoms of clenching and grinding to be aware of are these:

• Frequent headaches – especially in the morning
• Pain or tenderness when you bite or chew food
• Unusual or excessive wear to your teeth
• Discomfort or pain in your jaw
• Popping or clicking in your jaw upon opening or closing your mouth
• Neck or shoulder pain

If you're grinding your teeth at night, your bed partner may also be able to hear it and can make you aware of it.

What Causes Clenching and Teeth Grinding?

The causes of clenching and grinding vary for each patient. For some, it may be daily stress or anxiety that is the culprit. Other people may suffer from a sleep disorder or sleep apnea that causes clenching and grinding. A misaligned bite or crooked teeth can also contribute to the problem.

Solutions for Clenching and Grinding

If you think that you or a loved one might be grinding their teeth at night, it's important to talk with your dentist. Your dentist can diagnose teeth grinding and help determine the best treatment to protect your smile.

Some treatment solutions may be a stress management program, like massage or yoga or a custom oral appliance that you wear at night during sleep.

We Can Help With Teeth Grinding at Oakwood Dental

Your Castle Rock dentists at Oakwood Dental offer solutions for teeth grinding, like custom oral appliances. Call us today at (303) 688-3860 to learn more. Or follow Oakwood Dental on Facebook or Google My Business to learn about our treatments.