Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can cause damage to teeth and jaw pain. It is often caused by stress or abnormal tooth growth. A mouth guard can help train the jaw to stop clenching, while addressing the cause of stress can also help. Children may also experience bruxism due to abnormal tooth growth.
Almost as common as snoring, teeth grinding while sleeping, also known as bruxism, can damage your teeth and cause pain in your jaw and head. It is often caused by stress, but can also be the result of abnormal tooth growth or alignment problems within the mouth and jaw. The first step in stopping teeth grinding while you sleep is to visit your dentist so they can determine the cause of your grinding. From there, your dentist may prescribe a mouth guard to train your jaw to stop clenching, or may refer you to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional to help relieve the stress that is causing the grinding.
In many cases, teeth grinding while you sleep can be stopped by using a mouth guard at night. A dentist can make a mold of your teeth to create a mouth guard to use at night; this mouthguard will stop your teeth from grinding against each other, but will also train your jaw to rest in a different position. Because grinding your teeth while you sleep can cause permanent damage to your teeth and gums, you need a mouth guard to prevent tooth decay, worn enamel, and jaw pain. However, a specially designed mouth guard from your dentist can be expensive, as they are usually not covered by insurance. If you fall into this category, consider purchasing an athletic mouthguard available at most sporting goods stores. While not as durable or low-profile as the versions dentists use, it is an inexpensive alternative that can achieve the same goal.
Sometimes the only way to stop grinding your teeth while you sleep is to address the cause, which is most often a high level of stress in your life. High stress levels can disturb normal sleep patterns, and as the brain thinks about stressful events that have occurred during the day, the jaw tends to close, leading to teeth grinding during sleep. Doctors may recommend that you visit a mental health professional who can help you work through some of the stresses of daily life, thus allowing your mind to relax enough at night that bruxism will not occur. Anger, fear, anxiety, or even anticipation of a positive event to come can lead to bruxism.
In children, abnormal growth of the teeth and jaws can lead to bruxism. The teeth may not line up properly, leading the child to bite in such a way that the teeth grind against each other. This is usually not too serious a problem, as children will outgrow their teeth as they age. If the problem persists after the adult teeth begin to grow in, a visit to the dentist is in order.
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