Do you often wake up with a headache, a sore jaw, or teeth that hurt? One thing you might be doing is bruxism, which is another name for grinding your teeth. Millions of Americans have this condition. Grinding your teeth once in a while might not seem like a big deal, but doing it all the time can damage your teeth and cause pain. If you know why you grind your teeth and how to stop, it will protect your oral health and make your life better.

What makes people grind their teeth (bruxism)?

There are many things that can cause people to grind their teeth. It often happens unconsciously while you sleep, which is called sleep bruxism. It can also happen while you’re awake, which is called awake bruxism. Most of the time, these are the reasons why:

When you’re feeling stressed, anxious, angry, or tense, you might clench your jaw and grind your teeth without even realizing it.

Sleep Disorders: People who have sleep apnea or snore more often are more likely to bruxism.

Misaligned Teeth: Grinding your teeth can happen if your jaw or teeth are not in the right place. Your body will try to fix the problem by correcting the imbalance.

Medications and Drugs: Some stimulants and antidepressants, like nicotine or caffeine, have been linked to a higher risk of bruxism.

Things you do in your daily life: Bad habits like drinking too much alcohol, caffeine, or tobacco can make teeth grinding worse. “Teeth grinding is often your body’s way of dealing with stress or misalignment,” says Dr. Craig Lazenby of Lazenby Dental in Destin, Florida. A lot of people don’t know they’re grinding their teeth until they hurt their jaw or their teeth.

How to Tell If You’re Grinding Your Teeth

People who grind their teeth often don’t realize it until the symptoms get bad. These are some common signs of bruxism:

• Pain or Soreness in the Jaw: Jaw pain, especially in the morning, is a common sign.
• Teeth that are worn down, cracked or chipped: Grinding your teeth can wear away the enamel, making them look flat or broken.
• Headaches or migraines: An tense jaw can lead to frequent headaches, especially near the temples.
• Ear Pain: The pain may spread to the ears, even if it’s not caused by an ear infection.

When you grind your teeth, the enamel wears away, making your teeth more sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet foods.

If you have any of these signs, you should make an appointment to see a dentist to find out how bad the problem is.

Tips on How to Stop Grinding Your Teeth

Luckily, there are a number of ways to deal with and stop teeth grinding. Here are some good ways to deal with bruxism:

1. Put on a custom-made mouthguard

By putting something between your upper and lower teeth, a mouthguard that was professionally fitted can protect your teeth from damage caused by grinding. This is one of the best ways to keep your enamel from wearing down while you sleep.

2. Deal with anxiety and stress

Because bruxism is often caused by stress, using relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, deep breathing exercises, or therapy can help a lot with stopping people from grinding their teeth.

3. Fix problems with your teeth

If your bruxism is caused by misaligned teeth, orthodontics or dental adjustments can help fix your bite and stop you from grinding your teeth.

4. Don’t take stimulants

Don’t drink too much alcohol, smoke, or use caffeine, especially in the evening. These chemicals can make muscles work harder and make bruxism worse.

5. Work on techniques for relaxing your jaw

To relax your jaw muscles before bed, do some light jaw exercises or put a warm compress on your jaw. Don’t chew gum or eat hard foods that can make your jaw hurt.

6. Get a better night’s sleep

Getting better sleep can also help you stop bruxism. You might want to stick to a regular sleep schedule and make a relaxing bedtime routine.

Why it’s important to treat bruxism

Not doing anything about teeth grinding can have long-term effects, such as:

Tooth Damage: Grinding your teeth too much can wear down the enamel, crack your teeth, and even cause you to lose teeth.

TMJ Disorders: Temporomandibular joint disorders can happen when you grind your teeth for a long time.

Sleep Disruption: Grinding your teeth can make it hard to sleep and make you tired.

When it comes to teeth grinding, Dr. Craig Lazenby says, “Early intervention can save you from more serious dental problems down the road.” A simple mouth guard or plan for dealing with stress can make a huge difference. Do not wait for the damage to get worse if you think you are grinding your teeth. We can help you figure out if you have bruxism and make a personalized treatment plan to keep your smile safe at Lazenby Dental in Destin, Florida.

Make an appointment with us right away to start the process of getting healthier, pain-free teeth.