Teeth Grinding at Bondi Dental
Teeth grinding prevalence is more common than you might think. Moreover, because it occurs mainly during sleep, many people don’t know they do it.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth Grinding at Bondi Dental – Do you do it?
People are often surprised to learn that they are suffering from teeth grinding (bruxism) because many times it occurs during sleep.
Sometimes a bed partner may be kept awake by the noise of your teeth rubbing against each other but often the symptoms are first noticed by our Bondi Dental Dentist during a regular dental check-up.
If teeth grinding isn’t treated, it can lead to a whole host of dental problems such as:
- Enamel erosion
- Sensitive teeth
- Fractured teeth
- Facial pain
- TMJ – Temporomandibular Joint Disease
What causes teeth grinding?
Our patients always ask us this question, but in truth, there is not one answer. It is thought however that anxiety and stress are contributing factors although this isn’t always the case.
Other conditions such as hyperactivity and sleep apnoea have been linked to teeth grinding. Patients should also be aware that it can be caused by misaligned teeth and certain medications. Caffeine, illicit drugs, and smoking can also pose a risk factor for bruxism.
Bruxism treatment at Bondi Dental is tailored to the individual’s needs. Our compassionate dentists will try to ascertain what might be causing it and discuss possible treatments and solutions, including custom mouthguards.
If you wake up in the morning with a headache and sore jaw and suspect that you grind your teeth, you could be putting your oral health at risk. Make an appointment with our experienced dentists to have that assessed and treated, preventing further problems.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does wearing a custom-mouthguard help?
While a mouthguard does not stop you from grinding your teeth, it prevents the teeth from coming into contact with others and becoming further damaged.
What other treatments are recommended for Bruxism?
We can also discuss other measures such as exercising or taking a warm bath before bed to help you de-stress. If your problems are psychological, then speaking to a counsellor may also be beneficial.