Did you know stress can harm your oral health? Daily stress and anxiety can cause teeth grinding, jaw clenching, headaches, and broken teeth, without you even realizing it. Here at Cyprus Family Dental, we see patients for these kinds of problems all the time.
What is Teeth Grinding?
Teeth grinding is the process of grinding your teeth together or clenching your jaw. Some people grind their teeth while they’re awake, but many grind their teeth at night unknowingly.
Teeth grinding also known as bruxism is most commonly caused by:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Poor sleep
- Certain medication
- Bite misalignment
Patients often don’t realize they grind their teeth while sleeping until problems arise. If you wake up with headaches or sore jaw muscles, you may want to ask us about teeth grinding.
Signs You May Be Grinding Your Teeth
Possible signs and symptoms you may have grinding or clenching from stress include:
- Morning headaches
- Jaw soreness or stiffness
- Tooth sensitivity
- Worn, flattened, or chipped teeth
- Tight facial muscles
- Earaches without infection
- Popping or clicking in your jaw joint
- Trouble opening your mouth wide
Many of these symptoms may develop over time, allowing you to ignore them.
How Stress Hurts Your Jaw
When you’re stressed out, your muscles tense up. For most people, the jaw is where that tension goes. Continually clenching your jaw stresses your jaw joints and muscles, which can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
Symptoms of stress-related TMJ problems include:
- Jaw pain
- Limited jaw movement
- Clicking or popping noises
- Pain when chewing
- Regular tension headaches
If left untreated, your symptoms will likely increase in both frequency and intensity.
Damage to Your Teeth Over Time
Untreated grinding can cause significant damage to your smile.
Over time, excessive pressure can lead to:
- Cracked teeth
- Broken fillings or crowns
- Wearing down enamel
- Sensitive teeth
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth
- Expensive dental restoration
Saving your teeth sooner can help prevent expensive and extensive damage that builds up over years. Prevention is always better than trying to repair years of damage.
Your Dentist Can Help
The good news is we have many treatment options that can help!
Your dentist can recommend a treatment plan based on your symptoms. This might include:
Custom Night Guards
Night guards are custom-made to fit snugly over your teeth while you sleep. They create a protective barrier to minimize wear and prevent pressure on your jaw joints.
Bite Evaluation
If you have an uneven bite it can lead to clenching and grinding. Your dentist will assess your bite and see if any treatment is needed to balance your bite.
Stress Management
If stress is the cause of your grinding, there are ways to take control. Exercise, better sleep habits, meditation, and relaxation techniques can help you keep grinding at bay while you sleep.
Restorative Treatment
If you have already damaged your teeth with grinding, your dentist can restore your teeth with bonding, crowns, or fillings to protect your teeth from further damage.
When Should You Schedule an Appointment?
If you notice you can’t stop clenching or grinding your jaw, make an appointment. Catching the signs early can save you from more dental issues down the road and increase your comfort.
Make an appointment to get your symptoms evaluated if you:
- If you wake up with headaches often
- Jaw pain that won’t go away
- Sensitive teeth or teeth that look worn down
- Have chipped teeth from unknown causes
- Your jaw clicks or locks open or closed
- Someone hears you grind your teeth while you sleep
Stop Stress From Damaging Your Smile
It’s normal to feel stressed every once in a while. But harming your teeth should never be permanent. Stopping teeth grinding and jaw clenching early can save your smile, eliminate jaw pain and spare you expensive dental work down the road.
If you think you’re grinding your teeth or waking up with jaw pain or headaches, we can help. At Cyprus Family Dental, we’ll examine your symptoms and determine what’s causing them. Then we’ll offer treatment options tailored to your needs and keep your smile happy and healthy. Schedule an appointment today by calling (801) 250-0203 or fill out our online form. We look forward to hearing from you!