According to the Canadian Sleep Society, approximately 8 percent of adults and 13 percent of children in Canada experience teeth grinding or clenching – most often in their sleep.
Teeth grinding or clenching (often called bruxism) can be caused by several things:
- Anxiety;
- Stress;
- Disrupted Sleep;
- Misaligned teeth; and/or
Most people who clench or grind their teeth typically do not realize they are doing so.
Some signs of bruxism may include:
- Headaches;
- Earaches;
- Tooth Sensitivity;
- Tooth or Jaw Pain;
- A third party hears the noise of grinding (especially at night).
When you clench or grind your teeth, a huge amount of pressure is exerted on your teeth and jaw. Continual clenching or grinding can lead to cracked, chipped, broken, or loose teeth and the potential for damage to the Temporomandibular joint.
Diagnosing Clenching or Grinding
If you see a dentist regularly in Surrey, they will monitor your mouth for signs of irregular wear and tear on the surfaces of the teeth. It is important to always let your dentist know if you are experiencing any unusual pain or sensitivity in your teeth, head, or neck area – this can help to diagnose bruxism early and limit damage.
Preventing Bruxism
If you become aware of clenching your teeth, try to make an effort to relax the jaw and stop the clenching. Stress-reducing activities such as exercise may be beneficial if the bruxism is being caused by external stress. Depending on the reason for your clenching and grinding, your dentist may recommend corrective treatments for your mouth or may want you to wear a custom-fit mouth guard at night to reduce the pressure on your teeth.
Hello, I’m Dr. Kevin Lee, an experienced orthodontist, and I proudly welcome you to Pacific West Dental. With a passion for creating beautiful, confident smiles, I have dedicated my career to providing top-tier orthodontic care.
Established with a commitment to personalized treatment and patient comfort, Pacific West Dental is your trusted destination for achieving the smile you’ve always dreamed of.
Services we provide:
– Invisalign
– Braces
– Lingual Braces
– TMJ
– iTero
– Laser Therapy
– Sleep Apnea
– Dysport Cosmetic Injectables
– Lightforce Braces
