Do you think you might be grinding your teeth and are looking for a dentist's opinion? Have you ever woken up with a stiff or sore jaw? Do you have a dull, throbbing headache upon waking in the morning?
If so, it may be time for you to visit your dentist. Both of these scenarios are telltale signs that you are grinding your teeth while you sleep. Medically termed bruxism, grinding your teeth can lead to serious oral health issues if not addressed by your dentist.
Bruxism, commonly known as teeth grinding, is a condition in which you grind or clench your teeth. This can happen unconsciously while you are awake, or during sleep. In cases of clenching and grinding while asleep, this condition is considered a sleep-related movement disorder. It has been shown that people who have sleep bruxism are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring or sleep apnea.
If you suspect you are suffering from bruxism, there are several signs to look out for:
If you are noticing any of these signs or symptoms, the easiest way to confirm whether you are grinding your teeth is by visiting your dentist for an official diagnosis.
There are a variety of reasons why people grind their teeth. It is not entirely known what causes bruxism, but it is thought to be due to a combination of physical, psychological and genetic factors. These can include stress and anxiety, an abnormal bite, aggressive or competitive personality types, missing or crooked teeth, other family members with bruxism, or medical disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Bruxism may also be a side effect of some medications, such as certain antidepressants.
Your dentist is the first person you should visit if you suspect that you are grinding your teeth. During a dental exam, your dentist will look for signs of bruxism such as excessive wear on your teeth, including cracks, chips or loose teeth. Some options to help you reduce or eliminate grinding include:
The good news is that bruxism, or grinding your teeth, is a very treatable condition. If you suspect that you are grinding your teeth, visit your dentist as soon as possible to discuss your options for reducing or eliminating bruxism. The sooner you catch and treat this condition, the less pain and damage you will endure.
Request an appointment here: https://www.opensmilesdental.com or call Open Smiles Dental at (301) 710-0055 for an appointment in our Waldorf office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Waldorf, MD.
When treating a cavity, your dentist needs to remove the decaying portion of the tooth and then “fill” it with a dental filling. The material is beneficial for repairing broken, decayed, and worn down teeth. Tooth decay only gets worse, which makes it extremely important to treat it as soon as possible. Most people do not…
Dental bonding is a simple and pain-free cosmetic procedure that can fix minor imperfections with teeth. Everyone should be able to show off a smile that they are proud of, and many achieve the smile of their dreams through dental bonding treatment. The most notable reasons to consider dental bonding are to fill gaps between teeth,…
We are committed to providing quality service to residents located In the Waldorf, MD area. Our website has additional information about the following topics: Dentist, Family Dentist, General Dentist, Cosmetic Dentist, Kid-Friendly Dentist, Emergency Dentist, Teeth Whitening, Dental Crowns, Dental Bridges and Dental Veneers.