Most individuals certainly clench and grind their teeth occasionally. The medical term for occasional teeth grinding is bruxism. However, when teeth grinding is habitual, it may damage teeth and lead to other issues with oral health.
What Causes Teeth Grinding in People?
Although stress and worry may trigger teeth grinding, it usually happens when you sleep and is more likely brought on by an irregular bite, missing, or misaligned teeth. A sleep problem like sleep apnea may potentially be the culprit.
Exactly how can I tell if I grind my teeth?
Most individuals are not aware that they grind their teeth since it often happens when they are asleep. A clear sign of bruxism, however, is a dull, on-going headache or a painful jaw when you wake up. Many times, a loved one who hears grinding throughout the night may inform the person that they grind their teeth.
Speak with your dentist if you think you could be crushing your teeth. They may check your mouth and jaw for indications of bruxism, such as pain in your jaw and unusual tooth wear.
Why Is Grinding Your Teeth Bad?
Chronic teeth grinding may sometimes cause teeth to break, become loose, or even fall out. The constant grinding might eventually leave teeth as stumps. Bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even full dentures may be required when these things happen.
Why Are Kids Grinding Their Teeth?
Teeth grinding is an issue that affects both adults and children. Between 15% and 33% of kids clench their teeth. When baby teeth emerge and when permanent teeth emerge are the two occasions when teeth grinding is most prevalent in children. After these two sets of teeth have grown in more completely, the majority of kids stop grinding their teeth.
Many parents have at some time heard their kids grinding their teeth, often when they are sleeping. Because of how rapidly children’s teeth and jaws develop, it’s typically not a bad habit that has to be treated, and most youngsters outgrow it as they become older.
Children tend to grind their teeth more often at night than during the day. Although the actual cause of youngsters grinding their teeth is unknown, some explanations include misaligned teeth or uneven upper-lower tooth contact, diseases, and other medical issues.
The amount of wear, the kid’s age, the symptoms experienced, and the requirements of the child and parent or caregiver all play a role in how to treat children who grind their teeth. The ideal person to fully evaluate each child’s condition is a dentist or other oral health specialist.
Treatment for grinding
Consult your dentist or another oral health expert if you believe you grind your teeth. Your teeth will be examined, and they will discuss your treatment choices, which may include:
1. restoration of tooth damage,
2. rule out any more tooth deterioration, such as erosion,
3. evaluation of risk factors, such as breathing problems during sleep,
4. a unique mouthguard (‘bite splint’) to wear at night to prevent your teeth from wearing down. A biting splint will often just treat the symptoms and won’t completely stop you from grinding.
Plaque Buster is one of the best tools to maintain your oral health. Give us a call on 813-438-3894 or check out our products on https://theplaquebuster.com/shop/