You may be grinding or clenching your teeth without even knowing it.
Teeth grinding – known as bruxism – often happens while we sleep, which means many people are completely unaware they are doing it. Sometimes the first indication is a partner hearing grinding during the night. For others, it is their dentist who notices the tell-tale signs during a routine examination.
At Coppice View Dental Care in Harrogate, we regularly see signs of grinding and clenching in patients who had no idea it was happening.
What is teeth grinding?
Bruxism is the involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth and jaw.
It can happen while you are awake – perhaps when you are concentrating, driving or feeling tense – but it can also occur during sleep.
Occasional clenching may not cause problems, but persistent grinding can put considerable pressure on your teeth, jaw muscles and jaw joints. Over time, this can lead to discomfort and damage to your teeth.
What are the signs that you grind your teeth?
As grinding often happens during sleep, it can be surprisingly difficult to spot.
Some of the signs to look out for include:
- Waking with a headache
- An aching, tired or tight jaw
- Facial or neck discomfort
- Sensitive teeth
- Teeth that look worn, flattened or shorter than they used to
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Damage to fillings, crowns or other dental restorations
- Clicking or discomfort around the jaw
- A partner hearing you grind your teeth during the night
You don’t have to experience pain to be grinding your teeth. Some people have very few symptoms and only discover the problem when their dentist notices characteristic patterns of wear.
Why do we grind our teeth?
There isn’t always one simple reason for bruxism.
Stress and anxiety can contribute to grinding and clenching, particularly during periods of increased pressure. Some people also find themselves unconsciously clenching their jaw while concentrating.
Sleep-related factors, lifestyle habits and certain medications can also sometimes be associated with bruxism.
Your dentist can assess your teeth and jaw and discuss any factors that could be contributing.
Can grinding damage your teeth?
Persistent grinding can gradually wear away the protective enamel covering your teeth. As enamel is lost, teeth can become increasingly sensitive and may start to look shorter, flatter or more worn.
In more significant cases, the pressure generated by grinding and clenching can contribute to cracked or chipped teeth and may place additional strain on existing fillings, crowns and other dental restorations.
Identifying the signs early gives us an opportunity to help protect your natural teeth before more significant wear occurs.
Could your morning headaches be caused by grinding?
If you regularly wake up with a headache, you might not immediately think about your teeth. However, repeatedly clenching your jaw can put significant strain on the muscles around your jaw, face and temples. For some people, this can contribute to headaches, facial tension or an aching jaw – particularly first thing in the morning.
Headaches can have many different causes, so persistent or concerning headaches should always be appropriately assessed. However, if your headaches are accompanied by jaw tension or signs of tooth wear, it is worth mentioning this to your dentist.
How can your dentist tell if you grind your teeth?
During your dental examination, your dentist can look for signs associated with bruxism.
These can include unusual patterns of tooth wear, flattened biting surfaces, small fractures, chipped teeth or damage to existing dental restorations.
We can also talk to you about any symptoms you may have noticed and assess your teeth, bite and jaw where appropriate.
Can you protect your teeth from grinding?
Yes. If we identify signs that you are grinding or clenching your teeth, we can discuss the most appropriate way to protect them.
For some patients, a custom-made dental appliance worn at night may be recommended. Made specifically to fit your mouth, this can help protect the teeth from the damaging effects of grinding and clenching while you sleep.
Where teeth have already become significantly worn or damaged, your dentist can also discuss whether any restorative treatment may be appropriate.
Recognising daytime clenching habits and considering factors such as stress and sleep quality may also form part of managing the problem.
Do You Think You Might Be Grinding Your Teeth?
You don’t need to wait until your teeth hurt.
If you regularly wake with a tight jaw or headache, have noticed your teeth becoming worn or sensitive, or simply want to know whether there are signs that you grind your teeth, we can check for you.
At Coppice View Dental Care in Harrogate, we can assess your teeth for signs of grinding and clenching and advise you on the most appropriate ways to help protect your smile.
Contact our friendly team to arrange an appointment, or ask your dentist about teeth grinding at your next routine examination.
Call: 01423 503428 or visit https://coppiceviewdental.co.uk/contact-us/
