Many people grind their teeth from time to time. However, if it becomes a habit, it can cause pain and severe damage to the teeth. If you suffer from teeth grinding (bruxism), you might experience swelling, flattening of the teeth, and jaw pain. You can also experience a clicking sound when opening and closing your mouth. Read on and learn the root causes of teeth grinding and how to prevent it.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is the leading cause of nighttime teeth grinding. This disorder causes interruptions in sleep, limiting the number of vital brain processes that happen at night. In many instances, sleep apnea may occur when your tongue is too big, blocking your respiratory airway. This forces your body to grind the teeth as a way to reopen it. Luckily, you should not live with this condition since there are effective treatment procedures. Many patients find success with Daytime-Nighttime Appliances (DNA). This oral appliance expands the palate to provide more space for the tongue.
Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety can also cause teeth grinding during sleep. You can experience stress from home, school, and work. How does stress contribute to bruxism? Stress results in sleep apnea, a primary cause of teeth grinding. In this case, you can stop teeth grinding by seeking stress relief techniques such as yoga and meditation.
Misaligned Bite
A misaligned bite can put pressure on your jaw joints, contributing to a condition known as a temporomandibular joint disorder. This oral condition causes the jaw to spasm, forcing you to grind your teeth. You can stop this by seeking professional help. This may involve orthodontic treatments such as braces, jaw expanders, headgear braces, or jaw surgery. Visit our office or contact us today for more information about possible causes of teeth grinding and the treatment solutions available.
Esthetic Smiles - Dr. John Abajian, DDS, 1901 N. Solar Dr. Suite 135, Oxnard, CA 93036 | 805-365-4222 | myestheticsmile.com | 10/9/2024 | Tags: dentist Oxnard CA |
Many people grind their teeth from time to time. However, if it becomes a habit, it can cause pain and severe damage to the teeth. If you suffer from teeth grinding (bruxism), you might experience swelling, flattening of the teeth, and jaw pain. You can also experience a clicking sound when opening and closing your mouth. Read on and learn the root causes of teeth grinding and how to prevent it.