If you grind your teeth while asleep or awake, you could be causing significant damage to your teeth. Some people may do this without knowing about it. Bruxism, or teeth grinding can wear down your teeth and lead to several additional complications. This article will discuss some of the causes of grinding teeth and how your dental care specialist may be able to help you.

Causes of Teeth Grinding

Generally, several factors can lead to teeth grinding.  Stress, mental health issues, poor sleep habits, and some medications are among the more common causes. Other underlying medical conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), may also lead to tooth grinding. Additionally, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can both cause or be caused by bruxism.

Diagnosing Teeth Grinding

Your dentist will look for signs of tooth grinding during regular checkups. They may also look for changes in your teeth over time. If they notice severe signs of grinding, they may recommend further care.

Caring for Bruxism

Generally, care for teeth grinding is a multi-faceted medical approach. Firstly, your dentist may have you fitted for a mouth guard to reduce tooth damage from further grinding. Then, they may refer you to another specialist. A sleep medicine specialist can help you with reducing nighttime grinding. If stress, anxiety, or other mental health issues are the cause, a licensed therapist or counselor may be able to help. If your grinding is caused by an underlying medical condition or a prescribed medication, your primary care physician or a specialist is recommended.
When grinding is severe enough that it has caused severe tooth damage, corrective measures may be needed. This can help reduce tooth pain, sensitivity, and more. Grinding your teeth can also affect the way you chew. In these cases, a dentist may have to reshape the chewing surfaces of your teeth, or even use crowns.

A Center for Dental Excellence does not provide medical or healthcare advice via articles. This material is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for medical advice.
A Center for Dental Excellence provides expert dental care to the Brooklyn and Staten Island communities we serve. To schedule an appointment or consultation, contact us or call the office you would like to visit. (718) 232-8289 for Brooklyn, and (718) 980-9555 for Staten Island.