I feel like I’m grinding or clenching my teeth. Why? And can anything help?

Day or night, lots of us grind or clench our teeth, and do not even realize we’re doing it. Here are three Questions Ask yourself.

At least once per week, do you:

• Feel sores near your temple, face, jaw or ear?

• Pain whenever you open your mouth or chew?

• Feel your jaw lock, click or get stuck?

If you answered “yes” not less than once, you might be grinding or clenching your teeth (often known as Bruxism)

So why will we do it? And is there any technique to stop? Let’s have a look.

What happens whenever you clench or grind?

Brushing or grinding your teeth is unnecessary. We unconsciously activate our chewing muscles, clenching or clenching the lower jaw and clenching or grinding the teeth together.

approx One in six About one in 4 of us do it while we sleep, and one in 4 once we’re awake.

Grinding your teeth while sleeping makes a definite noise. (If you share a bed, your partner may find a way to inform you about it!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbyfssvf6cm

Is it bad for you?

Mild, occasional grinding or clenching is normally not an issue.

But if you happen to do it often or too strongly, this habit Too many teeth can cause jaw joint and muscle problemsdisrupt sleep, and contribute to tension headaches or earaches.

These problems could be painful and expensive to administer.

Over time, it could possibly Fractures and cracks your teeth

---

---

Why should I brush or grind my teeth?

Usually happens A mix Physical, mental and lifestyle aspects.

If you: If you: If you usually tend to clutch and grind

There can be a powerful link with it Sleep apneaa condition that forestalls you from respiratory often when you sleep and deprives your brain and body of oxygen.

Low oxygen triggers the discharge of stress hormones. They increase your heart rate and activate whole-body muscle fibers, which may also stretch. Grinding and clenching.

Can my dentist tell by taking a look at my teeth?

Your dentist will normally check for any health problems and medications. They can Ask if you experience. Jaw pain, headache, difficulty chewing or locking the jaw. They may also ask Your sleep experience.

In your mouth, your dentist will search for teeth or fillings which might be loose or worn down.

Teeth which might be abnormally worn Acid reflux. This causes stomach acid to seep into the mouth, which softens the hard enamel that protects your teeth.

As a result, individuals who brush and grind their teeth also suffer from reflux Dress up and down Their teeth are very sharp.

Another common symptom is White edges Scallop-shaped tips about the inside your cheeks and around your tongue. They form when your cheek and tongue get stuck against the teeth whenever you clench or grind them.

Other signs Your dentist will find out Includes:

What can I do about it?

Brushing and grinding your teeth may be very manageable. Your health practitioner can make it easier to discover causes and manage symptoms.

Your doctor can review your medications and investigate possible underlying issues, comparable to reflux. Arthritis in the jaw or lack of sleep.

You may also ask your doctor Get you evaluated for sleep apnea See if you happen to need it Polysomograph Test

This test is the gold standard used to diagnose sleep disorders, including clenching and grinding your teeth.

To determine if a test is required, your doctor will have a look at your sleep experience, level of fatigue, and whether you go to sleep while doing day by day activities.

a Physiotherapist who specializes in jaw pain A mixture of tailored exercises and stretching may also help with joint locking, clicking or tension headaches.

Pain relievers may help.

Your dentist may recommend an evening guard or splint For safety Reduce muscle tension and jaw clicking by wearing your teeth. These are acrylic or nylon appliances which might be custom-made to suit over the teeth in your upper jaw—form of like a sports mouth guard, but smaller.

When these options don’t relieve symptoms, some people may consider Botox injections To block the signals that control certain movements of the jaw muscles, reducing clenching and associated pain.

However, Botox is dear and Not effective for everyone. It’s also short-acting, so frequent visits to a neurologist or specially trained dentist shall be needed.

The bottom line

If you’re thinking that you might be brushing and grinding your teeth, one of the best place to begin is to seek advice from your doctor or dentist.

But remember, physiotherapy, Night guards And pain relievers treat the implications of clenching and grinding, not the causes.

So it is also value eager about ways to cut back your stress and develop good sleep habits.

Some easy adjustments to calm down and unwind — like drinking less caffeine and alcohol and keeping devices out of the bedroom at night — can improve your health and help avoid pain and expensive treatments.