What Causes Teeth Grinding?
Posted on 11/7/2022 by Evan |
 Teeth grinding (bruxism) is a severe health condition that can occur when you are awake or asleep. Many people grind their teeth without noticing. Sometimes, your partner may discover the habit when they hear a clicking sound from your mouth. Frequent teeth grinding can cause side effects such as headaches, jaw disorders, gum recession, and jaw pain and stiffness. This condition can occur due to several factors, such as the ones below.
Stress
The most common cause of teeth grinding is stress. From the pressure of work to everyday frustrations and life events, stress is something that many people encounter. When you are stressed, the chemical that regulates sleep gets disrupted. Besides, anxious thoughts can prevent you from having a deep sleep. Also, because teeth grinding occurs more during less sleep, stress stands to be the number one reason why people get bruxism. The good thing is that you can manage your stress to keep teeth grinding in check. Activities such as yoga, meditation, and listening to music are some stress relief techniques.
Misaligned Teeth
When your lower and upper teeth fail to meet properly, they are likely to lessen the stability of the jaw. Also, you may have uneven bites, which may cause pain in your jaw joints. This condition is called a temporomandibular joint disorder. It makes the jaws spasm, thus, causing teeth grinding.
Family History
Teeth grinding may run in your family. This means that if you have relatives diagnosed with teeth grinding, you could be at risk. In this case, it is advisable to know your family history to help you prepare for the future. For instance, you can avoid risk factors such as stress, alcohol, and smoking.
When you notice the signs and symptoms of bruxism, it is best to seek professional care. Teeth grinding can lead to long-term side effects. Thus, emergency dental care is needed as soon as you recognize signs such as teeth sensitivity in the absence of gum disease or tooth decay, pain in the facial muscles, or headaches. Our dentists will discuss a treatment option that is right for your condition.
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