One of the most common culprits behind frequent headaches or worn or broken teeth is teeth grinding. This condition, clinically referred to as bruxism, can happen both during the day and during sleep and can negatively impact quality of life and put your oral health at risk. Dentists like Dr. Jason Petkevis in Chester Springs, PA can easily identify and help you manage teeth grinding.

Why Do I Grind My Teeth?

People who grind or clench their teeth often have an issue with the bite. The “bite” is how dentists refer to the alignment of your teeth. People with bruxism often have uneven bites, such as an overbite or underbite.

Bruxism is also commonly associated with stress, whether from environmental factors in your life or stress inside the mouth and jaw from a dental problem. The teeth and jaw work using an intricate system of muscles in the mouth and neck, and when this system doesn’t work properly, it results in tension. This tension can lead to headaches, teeth grinding, and face and neck pain.

Signs of Teeth Grinding

Dentists can usually easily identify signs of teeth grinding, such as:

• Worn or dull teeth, especially chips or flat spots
• Frequent headaches
• Cuts or sores on the inside cheek
• Sensitive teeth
• Jaw pain

How to Stop Teeth Grinding

Reducing your stress levels may help you stop grinding your teeth, but if that stress is out of your control as the result of a dental problem, you’ll need other ways to help stop teeth grinding. Often, a combination of stress reduction and occlusal appliances are used to treat bruxism.

There are a few different kinds of occlusal appliances. You might be familiar with night guards, which are custom-fitted to the patient’s mouth to fit over the top or bottom teeth to stop nighttime teeth grinding.

Another type of occlusal appliance are mandibular advancement devices, which bring the jaw forward when the dentist suspects a sleep disorder as the cause of the problem. You may be familiar with these as “snore guards,” which can reduce snoring by aligning the jaw during sleep to help with sleep apnea.

Bruxism Treatment in Chester Springs, PA

Teeth grinding can damage teeth and keep you from living a pain-free life, so it’s important to seek treatment if you grind your teeth. Dental Distinction is a full-service dental office that can help you put an end to bruxism and keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Schedule an appointment online or call 610.400.1459 today.