After wearing braces, you’ll be fitted for a retainer. Learn why wearing a retainer is so important for maintaining your straight teeth.
Teeth grinding can damage your oral and overall health. Unfortunately, you may not even know you do it, especially if you grind your teeth while you sleep.
The good news is there are certain clues that can indicate you may grind your teeth. And the solution is often as simple as getting a mouthguard to protect your teeth while you sleep. In this blog, Joseph Yousefian, DMD, of Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens, and Adults explains the signs and symptoms of teeth grinding.
If you notice any of the following things, this could indicate that you grind your teeth:
One of the most obvious indicators that you could be grinding your teeth is experiencing aching or chronic pain in your jaws. Grinding your teeth can put an enormous amount of pressure on your jaws, and this can lead to jaw pain
Furthermore, teeth grinding can aggravate certain conditions, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and even lead to tooth weakening and tooth loss.
If your teeth grinding is particularly severe, you may develop tight jaw muscles. Your jaws may even lock when you open or close them, such as when you chew or talk. Tight jaw muscles are also often an indicator of a TMJ disorder.
Having headaches is also a sign that you could be grinding your teeth. If you grind your teeth at night, you may wake up in the morning with headaches. If you don’t grind your teeth during the day, you may find that your headaches gradually disappear during the course of your waking hours.
However, many people also grind their teeth while they’re awake. This can cause continuous pressure on your jaws, which can lead to headaches that don’t seem to go away.
Dental enamel can wear down as a result of chronic teeth grinding. This may be difficult for you to recognize, but your dentist or orthodontist should be able to detect it. You may be able to tell if your teeth are wearing down if you notice your teeth becoming more sensitive, especially to hot and cold.
Furthermore, teeth grinding can fracture, crack, or loosen teeth. If these issues are occurring to your teeth because of teeth grinding, your dentist or orthodontist should be able to diagnose it.
When you see Dr. Yousefian, one of the first things he might do after confirming that you grind your teeth is recommend that you use a custom-made mouthguard, which is usually only worn at night.
He may also recommend performing certain exercises that can help relax your jaws, and he may also suggest taking medications that can help relax your jaws.
If you grind your teeth or suspect you do, Dr. Yousefian can help. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with Yousefian Orthodontics for Children, Teens, and Adults today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
After wearing braces, you’ll be fitted for a retainer. Learn why wearing a retainer is so important for maintaining your straight teeth.
Taking care of your braces doesn’t take a vacation when you do. You still need to make a plan to keep your braces clean, even when you’re traveling. Read on to learn how.
Traditional braces may not be as popular these days as Invisalign® and other alternatives, but they still have a role to play in orthodontic treatment. Read on to learn why traditional braces still have some advantages.
You may have a TMJ disorder if you have recurring pain in your jaw and other symptoms. Learn more about what TMJ disorders are and the signs that could indicate you have a TMJ issue.
If you get frequent headaches, there could be a source you’re overlooking: dental problems. Read on to learn more about the link between headaches and dental issues.
If you have sleep apnea or wonder if you do, an orthodontist may be able to help you. With their expertise in how facial structures work together, they can help you find out what’s causing the problem and provide treatment. Read on to learn more.