Have you been experiencing headaches or jaw aches when first waking up? Or perhaps you have a damaged tongue and gums? All of these can be signs of teeth grinding in your sleep, which can have long lasting effects if it’s not dealt with properly. From sleeping problems to prolonged stress, teeth grinding can be a result of some very common causes. Unfortunately, teeth grinding can have some negative effects on your health, but don’t worry. You’re not alone!
At Treasured Smiles Adult and Cosmetic Dentistry, we make it a priority to make sure you and your gums are healthy, and this includes during your sleep!
Our team has compiled a list of effects teeth grinding can have, the causes, and how to find relief in the future!
Understanding and Addressing Teeth Grinding During Sleep
Teeth grinding during sleep is a very common experience, but that doesn’t mean it’s normal. From different causes to the many different effects it has, teeth grinding is more than just a silly little caprice. The team at Treasured Smiles Adult and Cosmetic Dentistry wants your smile to be happy and healthy no matter the time of day. Read on to find out why you may be grinding your teeth, the effects of it, and some simple solutions to keep your pearly whites in good shape.
Effects of teeth grinding during sleep:
Dental damage: From dental work to teeth, you can expect your dental health to decline after experiencing teeth grinding. Naturally, as your teeth grind against each other, the enamel breaks down, making it easier for chipping, breaking, or damage to occur. Not just teeth are at risk though. Any sort of dental work such as crowns or veneers may also experience some wear and tear when one grinds their teeth.
Jaw pain: When one is constantly grinding their teeth at night, their jaws experience an abnormal amount of pressure. This pressure tends to be mostly on the joints, muscles, and tissues surrounding the mouth and ends up being extremely painful. This pain can be very uncomfortable and can cause aches and tension as well as sharp, shooting pain in the jaw.
Tongue and cheek damage: From bite marks to cuts on the inside of your cheek, teeth
grinding can leave you feeling hurt and damaged in the morning. During teeth grinding, the teeth often end up also grinding against the inside of cheeks as well against the tongue. While the teeth are most prone to damage, the rest of the mouth also experiences a decent amount of injury as well. It’s important to know what the root cause of this is and how to fix it so you can have good oral health.
Causes and solutions to teeth grinding during sleep:
Stress: Unfortunately, stress can be a huge cause when it comes to sleep disturbances – and this includes teeth grinding. Usually, people experiencing teeth grinding troubles have poor stress management and tend to lack the proper outlets for their stressors. These high levels of stress can not only affect sleep but also daily habits. These habits and sleep patterns can be what plays into teeth grinding at night. We recommend finding healthy ways to deal with stress such as meditation, therapy, journaling, and regularly exercising.
Sleeping problems: Certain sleeping problems, namely sleep apnea and other breathing patterns, can heavily affect teeth grinding at night. For example, when you go through an episode of not breathing, your brain can automatically signal to your teeth to grind in order to start breathing again. It’s always a good idea to see a doctor or medical professional to seek help with serious sleeping problems such as sleep apnea. However, some solutions may include medication, therapy, oral appliances, or some surgeries. Although sleep problems do occur and sometimes seem like a hopeless situation, it’s important to remember that there are solutions and professionals to help you get to where you want to be.
Misaligned teeth: Sometimes, jaws or teeth may be misaligned, and it’s hard to know when this is the case. When jaws or teeth are misaligned, the mouth will naturally work much harder to create a good alignment between the top and bottom teeth. This extra strain can cause the teeth to grind against each other. Even though it’s difficult to know when this is the case, teeth grinding most often happens during sleep or stressful situations when in this condition. This is a situation where it is best to seek professional help, but some common solutions may include braces, tooth extraction, or a surgical procedure.
Get In Touch Today!
If you’re experiencing any of the effects from teeth grinding listed above, it may be time to talk to a professional. Treasured Smiles Adult and Cosmetic Dentistry understands the frustration that poor dental health can impose, and our team is happy to answer any questions and help in any way. Call us at (815) 426-0016 or fill out a contact form here to get the help you need!