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What is teeth grinding?

It most commonly happens without the person involved even noticing, usually at night or while they sleep. Some people do however grind or clench during the day, as a subconscious habit. For example, they might also bite their nails, chew on pens and pencils, or bite their lips or the inside of their cheeks.

Why do people grind their teeth?

The exact cause of grinding is not actually known but it is believed to be stress-related and feelings such as anxiety, anger, pain and frustration are often related to night time teeth grinding. People who lead very busy lifestyles, or who are very competitive or energetic by nature are more likely to grind their teeth. Some sleep disorders can stimulate grinding of the teeth as can drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs.

What kind of damage does teeth grinding cause?

When we chew food, an extremely strong force is applied to the teeth but when people grind their teeth without food in their mouth, the force on the teeth is twice as strong. This causes all sorts of damage to teeth, such as cracked enamel, worn down teeth, hairline fractures and gum recession.

Teeth grinding also causes dull aches and soreness in the facial muscles and jaw muscles, and earaches and headaches on waking in the morning. Over time, grinding can cause teeth to become sensitive or start to move and the alignment of the jaws may fall out of balance

How do I know if I grind my teeth at night?

As it mostly occurs at night, most people who suffer from teeth grinding are not aware that they grind their teeth at all. A partner might notice a strange and disturbing noise at night or a dentist will see the damage that has occurred to the teeth and gums. Though teeth grinding happens generally when people are unconscious, there are symptoms that need to be addressed:

• Jaw or facial pain in the morning upon waking
• Headaches or earaches on waking
• Grinding noises at night (noticed by a partner)
• Teeth are more sensitive
• Teeth marks on the tongue
• The tips of the teeth become flatter

How can I prevent or treat teeth grinding?

If you feel that you may be grinding your teeth, it is very important to visit our dentist for a check-up. If there is any damage done to your teeth, the sooner your dentist can treat the problem the better. Dentists can tell immediately if there is an issue with teeth grinding. You must attend regular dental check-ups to make sure you prevent any further damage to your teeth and gums. Your dentist may suggest tooth coloured fillings to reshape the teeth or to protect teeth that may have become worn or sensitive

They may also suggest that you wear a nightguard on your teeth which act as a barrier to prevent your jaws from grinding off each other at night. Most people who grind their teeth are suffering from high levels of stress. Getting help from your GP or close friends and family in dealing with stress may reduce the incidences of grinding hugely.

It’s very important to get a good night’s sleep and to try different methods of relaxation to treat the underlying issue of stress on a regular basis. Deep breathing, yoga, massage, reading, having a long bath or listening to music are usually good techniques to try at first.

At Seapoint Clinic, we recommend that you treat the issue at hand with a mouth guard and any other dental work that will prevent further damage to your teeth and gums. We also recommend that you speak to your GP about treating the underlying issue of stress or anxiety. If you are suffering from grinding or clenching and are wondering what your options are, give our friendly team a call now on 01 2842570 or email info@seapointclinic.ie