Nights Can Be Such a Grind — Bruxism
Posted in General Dentistry, Gum Disease | September 15, 2019
Just about everyone, except maybe Jimmy Buffett, grinds his or her teeth some times. After all, our bosses, kids, job, and other things can drive us crazy. Occasional teeth grinding, medically called bruxism, isn’t really any big deal — you have to clench your teeth occasionally when your boss is being a real idiot. The problem occurs when a person grinds his or her teeth regularly. That can create some real problems with your teeth.
Dr Egger sees the results of your grinding in cracked teeth, shortened teeth, and loosened teeth. He may need to use crowns, bridges, implants, or root canals to fix the damage done by your repeated grinding.
Why do we do it?
Although some people grind their teeth due to stress or anxiety during the daytime, more often than not it occurs during sleep. More than stress, bruxism usually has its basis in an abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth. It can also happen during sleep apnea.
So, what’s the big deal with grinding your teeth? They’re tough, right?
Your teeth are strong, but they can be broken down by chronic grinding. Bruxism can lead to fracturing, loosening, and eventual loss of teeth. The grinding can wear the teeth down to the point where they have little value. In these cases, bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, even full dentures may be in the grinder’s future.
Severe bruxism also affects your jaws, leading to temporomandibular joint disorder. It can change the appearance of your face.
How do I know if I’m a grinder?
Because most grinding occurs while we sleep, most people don’t know they do it. A dead giveaway is a sore jaw or a dull headache when you wake up. Also, the person next to you in bed can usually hear it.
What can be done about bruxism?
The way to stop chronic bruxism is to wear a night guard. These custom-fit mouth guards are worn at night and they protect the teeth from grinding against one another, while not restricting breathing.
Are you a night grinder? If you have symptoms of bruxism, call Dr. Egger at (989) 773-3560 and let’s take a look.