You may be experiencing teeth grinding, also commonly known as bruxism, if you grind your teeth at night or even during the day. This can either happen because of anxiety, an abnormal or crooked bite, stress in your daily life, a sleep disorder, or a habit.
Connected problems such as misaligned teeth, allergies, or even irritation in the mouth can be the cause of grinding. This is especially common in children, so talk to your dentist about which treatment options are best for your child’s or even your own grinding. Some treatments you can discuss include:
– Reduce stress by pinpointing things causing you stress. Cut them out with exercise, counseling sessions, and group therapy.
– Repair the alignment of your smile to stop grinding your teeth by consulting with your dentist about bite corrections.
– A night guard may be recommended by your dentist to help stop you from grinding your teeth.
– Loosen your jaw and face with a wet and warm washcloth before bed. This helps relax the jaw and cheeks before you go to bed.
Some symptoms to help identify teeth grinding include the following:
– Swollen face or swelling in the jaw
– Noticeable night grinding
– Jaw muscles contractions
– Pain that doesn’t go away in your face or jaw
– Consistent headaches that don’t go away
– Painful, loose, or fractured teeth
Dr. Kerry Taylor and our dental professionals here in Chandler, Arizona, want to help you protect your teeth from bruxism damage, so come in for a consultation on the best treatment for you and your smile. Make an appointment by calling Chandler Dental Excellence at 480.786.1734 today!