What a Grind!

A lot of health problems can be attributed to stress. In fact, stress-related health issues have become so prevalent that the American Psychological Association has committed a lot of resources into studying it.

Although teeth grinding can be caused by various things, including broken or missing teeth, misaligned bites and sleep disorders, it’s worth mentioning that stress is also an important factor that can lead to this condition.

Teeth-Grinding Symptoms

How do you know if you grind your teeth? Below are some of the most common teeth-grinding symptoms for most people:

  • Waking up with a sore or painful jaw
  • Waking up and catching yourself grinding
  • Low-grade or minor headaches
  • Partner or another person hearing you grind
  • Excessive tooth wear discovered by your dentist

How to Stop Teeth Grinding

The first step is identifying the root cause of your teeth-grinding condition before you can put in measures to stop the habit. For that, you’ll definitely need to see a dentist.

A good dentist will help determine what is causing the grinding, whether it’s a bite misalignment issue or other concerns.

In helping you address the condition, your dentist may recommend dental guards to keep your teeth protected from damage or enamel loss as a result of the grinding.

It’s also important to generally reduce your stress.

Finally …

Aside from the associated pain and soreness of the jaw, teeth grinding can also cause minor to severe headaches in many cases. Some people may also experience difficulty chewing.

These symptoms vary from person to person in their severity, but leaving this harmful habit unchecked will also exacerbate the condition over time.

You’ll need an experienced dentist to help you manage this condition to restore your health. Schedule a visit or contact us today at 425-320-0742 for more information.