Bruxism - Teeth Grinding

Many people visit the dentist regularly for their teeth cleaning or just an oral exam. But there are some people that have to visit the dentist because they experience bruxism, better known as teeth grinding. Millions of people suffer from bruxism and it can cause dental and jaw problems.

Bruxism is the clinical term for teeth grinding and is defined as the act of consciously or unconsciously clenching your teeth, during the day or during sleep. Bruxism is both a dental and medical problem because it not only affects the teeth; it affects the jaw and the head. Most people grind their teeth in their sleep and bruxism is just as common as snoring. There are many reasons why people suffer from teeth grinding. Most doctors believe that stress is the main factor that sets of bruxism or teeth grinding.

But, dentists claim teeth grinding happens because a person's teeth are not properly aligned with each other. Other factors include frustration and suppressed anger, aggressive personality, growth and development of the teeth and jaw, complication of another disease and drugs or medications. Teeth grinding starts in children but most outgrow their teeth grinding habits. A child's teeth are not permanent.

Their baby teeth will be replaced with stronger, better aligned permanent teeth and usually the teeth grinding goes away with time. But there are many adults that still suffer from bruxism. Their teeth won't change and this could cause dental complications. Even though bruxism isn't a major medical issue, it could result in jaw and face problems, broken and missing teeth and difficulty doing normal things, like eating, because the teeth are chipped and worn down. Many people don't know that they suffer from teeth grinding because they do it in their sleep. But it's very easy to tell if you have bruxism. First of all, your teeth would be flattened, chipped and worn down. The enamel will be worn down and the teeth would be sensitive. There would be a pain and tightness of the jaw, along with facial pains and some cheek tissue damage. But people also know that they suffer from teeth grinding because most people can hear it!

People who suffer from bruxism end up waking up their loved ones because the teeth grinding is so loud. It's just as common as snoring, and just like people who snore, people who grind their teeth end up waking people up from it. But the only real way to check if you have bruxism is to visit a dentist or dental professional. One of the most common forms of treatment is stress management. Bruxism is said to be caused by stress so some exercises can be used to try and reduce teeth grinding. Also, dentists will prescribe dental devices, like mouth guards or dental devices that will protect the teeth from grinding. In some severe cases of bruxism, surgery is necessary to correct the teeth grinding problems. But in most cases, teeth grinding can be fixed.

If you think you suffer from bruxism then visit a dental professional. Only they can diagnose your teeth grinding and see how badly it affects you. It could save your teeth and you from future dental and jaw problems.