Grinding Your Teeth: An In-Depth Look

Are you grinding your teeth? Are you experiencing stiffness or pain in your jaw? Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is fairly common and can happen whether you’re awake or asleep. We understand that this can be a very frustrating condition, which is why we want to help. In this article, we will dive deeper into this condition and the best solutions.

Teeth Grinding Explained

Grinding your teeth, or bruxism, is a condition in which you grind or clench your teeth. This can happen subconsciously while you are awake or asleep. It can be difficult to tell if you are grinding your teeth, especially if it happens while you are sleeping. Luckily, there are several signs to look for if you suspect that you are grinding your teeth. They are:

• Tight or sore jaw muscles
• Flattened teeth
• Cracked, chipped, or loose teeth
• Tooth pain or sensitivity
• Dull, achy pain around your ears or templates
• Temporomandibular joint pain, crackling or popping when opening your mouth

If you have any of these symptoms and want to identify the cause, visit your dentist for an official diagnosis.

Main Causes

There are many possible causes for Bruxism. Although it’s not definitely known, it is thought to be due to a combination of physical, psychological, and genetic factors. These can include the following:

• Stress and anxiety
• An abnormal bite
• Certain personality types
• Missing or crooked teeth
• Genetics
• Certain medical disorders

Bruxism can also be a side effect of some medications.

Solutions

The good news is that teeth grinding is a very treatable condition. Visit your dentist as soon as possible to discuss your options for reducing or eliminating bruxism. Our team at Downtown Franklin Family Dentistry is ready and willing to help you eliminate this condition from your life.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Downtown Franklin Family Dentistry team, visit our website or give us a call at 615-595-6111.