Common Teeth Grinding Symptoms And What To Do About It: A Care Guide By Our Kitchener Waterloo Dentist
Teeth grinding is a common problem many people experience without even realizing they are going through it. This is because it usually occurs during sleep, so most people are unaware of it. However, our Kitchener Waterloo dentist has created a guide of comprehensive symptoms of teeth grinding.
So, if you want to know the common symptoms and what you can do about this issue, you are in the right place. Keep reading for more information regarding bruxism by our skilled dentists.
What Is Teeth Grinding?
In medical terms, teeth grinding is known as bruxism. It is a condition characterized by the involuntary and repetitive clenching, gnashing, or grinding of teeth, often without the person being aware of the habit. Bruxism can occur during wakefulness and sleep, but sleep bruxism is more common and usually more problematic.
Many individuals who grind their teeth are not aware that they are doing it, especially if it occurs during sleep. It is often discovered by a sleep partner who hears the grinding sounds or by a dentist who notices signs of wear on the teeth.
Some people may also grind their teeth during the day, often in response to stress, anxiety, or tension. Daytime bruxism is usually more controllable than sleep bruxism. If you think you are facing this issue, you can always contact our Kitchener Waterloo dentist to confirm your suspicions.
7 Common Teeth Grinding Signs To Lookout For
Are you waking up with headaches, jaw soreness, or facial tension? If these are the symptoms you are experiencing but don't know what may be causing it, then it might be teeth grinding. The only way to know this is to understand the symptoms of this dental issue.
Our Kitchener Waterloo dentist has listed the various symptoms that might hint toward teeth grinding:
Jaw Soreness Or Pain
Jaw pain or soreness is a common symptom associated with teeth grinding. When you grind your teeth, the muscles responsible for moving your jaw and controlling your bite become overactive and tense. These muscles work together to allow you to chew and speak.
When you constantly grind and clench your teeth, it can lead to muscle fatigue, tightness, and even muscle spasms, resulting in jaw pain. Excessive grinding also stresses the TMJ, leading to discomfort and inflammation. You can feel this pain in your jaw, ear, and neck.
Audible Grinding Sounds
People who grind their teeth may be unaware of their habit, but a partner or family member can often hear it at night. The sound produced by teeth grinding can vary from a soft, subtle rubbing noise to a more pronounced and audible grinding sound. Some people describe it as a grating, scraping, or gnashing sound.
If you have a partner or a roommate, you can ask them to let you know whether you make audible grinding sounds while you sleep. It will give you a better idea of whether you grind your teeth while sleeping. Then, you can decide what to do about this issue.
Worn Tooth Surface
Teeth grinding can cause the tooth surfaces to become flattened, chipped, or fractured over time due to the constant grinding pressure. There are various types of tooth wear that our Kitchener Waterloo dentist can immediately notice. These include the following:
Attrition: This type of wear occurs when the biting surfaces of teeth grind against each other. Over time, the surfaces become flattened, and the sharp edges are smoothed out.
Abrasion: Abrasion happens when external factors like aggressive brushing or using abrasive toothpaste contribute to enamel erosion, often at the gumline or near dental restorations.
Erosion: Bruxism can exacerbate erosion by weakening enamel and making teeth more susceptible to acid-induced damage.
Typically, you might not be able to tell that your tooth surface is affected by grinding. However, there might be some pain or discomfort because of the changes in your teeth contour. We recommend you visit our dentists so they can assess your teeth and let you know what type of wear and tear your teeth have gone through and what you can do about it now.
Changes In Tooth Alignment
Prolonged teeth grinding can lead to changes in your tooth alignment, which can cause various dental issues for you. Consistent and forceful teeth clenching and grinding can exert pressure on the teeth and their surrounding structures. This pressure can cause teeth to shift gradually, leading to changes in their alignment and positioning within the dental arch.
Teeth that were previously well-aligned can become misaligned due to the uneven forces applied during bruxism. This can result in crowding, spacing issues, or occlusion (bite) changes as the teeth move out of their original positions. It is always better to contact our Kitchener Waterloo dentist to discuss whether you are facing these problems.
Once they do a comprehensive examination, they will understand the issues. Then, they will provide you with a customized treatment plan for your problems.
Gum Inflammation
Over time, the pressure from teeth grinding can cause the gum tissues to recede, exposing more of the tooth's root. This can increase sensitivity, especially to temperature changes and certain foods. This can be a sign of gum inflammation and potential gum disease.
Another telltale sign is bleeding of the gums while you brush, floss, or consume food. If this is a recurring issue, we recommend you visit our clinic to present your issues to our Kitchener Waterloo dentist. After their initial assessment, they will let you know how you can manage these problems.
Headaches
The relationship between bruxism and headaches is often linked to muscle tension, jaw strain, and pressure exerted on the surrounding structures due to the clenching and grinding actions. The muscles responsible for jaw movement and biting are extensively engaged during bruxism.
Such overuse can result in muscle fatigue and trigger tension headaches, often characterized by a dull, achy pain radiating from the temples to the back of the head. Many people with bruxism experience headaches in the morning due to heightened muscle activity during sleep.
If you also experience headaches upon waking up consistently, we recommend you contact our Kitchener Waterloo dentist. A comprehensive examination by them will determine whether teeth grinding is the culprit behind this problem.
Disrupted Sleep
Yes, the quality of your sleep and that of your partner can be affected by constantly grinding your teeth at night. Even if bruxism doesn't fully wake a person from sleep, it can lead to micro-arousals. These brief awakenings can disrupt the normal sleep cycle, preventing the individual from reaching the deeper, more restful stages of sleep.
In addition to affecting the person with bruxism, the noise generated by teeth grinding can disturb their partner's sleep. The sleeping partner may be awakened by the sounds or become aware of the grinding sounds, leading to sleep disturbances. It is crucial to be aware of these things so you can take the steps needed to ensure that this is not a problem for you and the people that live with you.
What To Do About Teeth Grinding?
Now that you know some common signs, you might have figured out whether you have this issue. If you do, there are a few things you can do about it. Our professional Kitchener Waterloo dentist has created some things you can follow to try to rectify this problem:
Consult Our Kitchener Waterloo Dentists
The first thing we recommend you do is consult our dentists if you suspect this issue with you. Our dentists will conduct a comprehensive examination and then assess what to do about your specific case. They will also determine the causes that are leading to these issues.
If you want to book an appointment with one of our dentists, please contact us. You can book an initial consultation with us, and we will conduct a comprehensive examination. Then, we will create recommendations on what to do.
Identify Your Triggers
You can’t do much about your teeth-grinding issue unless you know what is causing it in the first place. Try to identify any triggers that might be contributing to your teeth grinding. These can include the following:
Stress
Anxiety
Certain medications
Caffeine
And alcohol
Keeping a journal to track when and under what circumstances you grind your teeth can help pinpoint triggers. It might take a while because teeth grinding is an unconscious habit. You must constantly be aware of what you are doing and when you start grinding your teeth to identify triggers.
If you don't want to keep a journal, you can make notes on your smartphone wherever you are. A complete picture of the triggers will provide insight into how to let go of this habit in various situations.
Manage Stress
Most of the time, teeth grinding shows up when someone is stressed. Finding healthy ways to manage stress can benefit teeth grinding and other aspects of your life. There are a myriad of ways for stress management, which can include the following:
Exercise
Painting
Cooking
Gardening
Swimming
Spending time with loved ones
Taking up a sport
Dancing
And much more
Not all of these things will be something you enjoy or like doing. You must figure out what works for you to lower your stress levels. Then, you can take out more time for things that contribute to your overall well-being.
Have Good Sleep Hygiene
According to our Kitchener Waterloo dentist, maintaining good sleep hygiene will ensure you don’t unnecessarily grind your teeth. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule and create a comfortable sleep environment. Avoid electronics before bedtime and engage in relaxing activities to prepare your body for restful sleep.
These things will help you relax during bedtime so you are not stressed when you try to sleep. Lower stress levels might lead to fewer teeth grinding. You must implement a positive sleep schedule and then see how it contributes to these issues and your overall well-being.
Medication Review
All medicines have certain side effects you must be aware of before taking them. For example, teeth grinding can also be related to certain medications you take for your health problems. Our Kitchener Waterloo dentist recommends you talk to your healthcare provider if a medication is causing these issues.
Once you do, they will discuss alternative options, depending on your health and problem. If the change in medication still doesn’t rectify the issue, you can connect with our dentists.
Schedule Regular Checkups
Finally, if you want to deal with or prevent this issue, we recommend you regularly visit our Kitchener Waterloo dentist. They will assess the health of your teeth and then determine if there are any problems. Regular checkups will guarantee these issues are resolved before they become bigger problems.
We recommend you visit your dentist every six months. It will keep your dental health in check and help you solve any concerns.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have complete information regarding teeth grinding, you can do something. Consult our Kitchener Waterloo dentist and receive expert advice and care.
Please book an initial consultation for more information regarding our complete range of dental services. We will guide you on a journey toward dental wellness.