“It’s enough to set your teeth on edge!” This common idiom is used to describe something that is grating or extremely irritating. But if you suffer from bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, you may be – quite literally – grating the edges of your teeth together. And this constant pressure can have dramatic consequences for your oral health. 

At Metropolitan Dental Care in Denver, CO, our dentists provide effective, holistic care for bruxism. After uncovering the root cause of your condition, we can provide long-lasting relief thanks to several treatment options. 

To learn more about bruxism, or to schedule a consultation, contact our office today.

What Causes Teeth Grinding?

Stress and anxiety is the most common reason for bruxism. Some researchers speculate that chronic stress triggers the flight or fight response. Your body releases chemicals into your bloodstream, which lead to muscle tension, including tension in your jaw muscles. 

Other scientists point out that most chronic teeth grinding occurs during sleep. And 90% of those instances occur during the lighter stage of sleep, before REM sleep. Since chronic anxiety can often affect a person’s quality of sleep, this contributes to the strong correlation between bruxism and sleep disorders.

Less often, certain medications, such as antidepressants, can cause bruxism. Other health conditions, like dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, Parkinson’s, and ADHD, can contribute to teeth grinding. 

Symptoms of Bruxism

Teeth grinding symptoms include: 

  • Dental pain and sensitivity
  • Jaw pain
  • Chronic headaches
  • Pain in or near your ears
  • Indentations or sores on the sides of your tongue
  • Sores or chafing on the insides of your cheeks

Effects on Your Long-Term Health

Aside from the obviously uncomfortable and annoying symptoms of bruxism, the condition can have serious effects for your oral health over time. First, constant pressure on your teeth can lead to tiny fractures. These cracks could grow bigger, eventually necessitating root canal therapy or even extraction.

You could also sustain enamel erosion, which could lead to significant sensitivity and an increased risk for tooth decay.

Grinding and clenching will also affect your jaw and greatly increase your risk for TMJ Disorder. Left untreated, teeth grinding could permanently damage your jaw joints. For instance,  you could have a slipped disc, causing grating and friction in your TMJs. You could also experience limited range of mobility in your jaws, which could affect speech and eating.

Treatment Options

To combat teeth grinding, our dentists will typically recommend a combination of lifestyle changes and a mouthguard. Most lifestyle changes will focus on decreasing and managing anxiety. Steps could include: 

  • Breathing and stress management techniques
  • A healthy diet and regular exercise
  • Reducing or eliminating caffeine
  • Getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night
  • Anti-anxiety medications
  • Therapy or counseling

Mouthguards are usually worn at night only, although some daytime use may be appropriate if you find yourself clenching your jaw during stressful periods of the day. Because they are custom made, these appliances will fit comfortably and keep your teeth from touching.

Contact Us to Enjoy Relief from Chronic Teeth Grinding

If you are suffering from any of the symptoms of bruxism, don’t let the condition progress. Contact our office today for lasting relief.

You can book an appointment via our website or call us at 303-534-2626.