Do you wake up with headaches? Does your jaw hurt? Do your teeth seem extra sensitive in the mornings? There is a chance you have bruxism, which is a fancy way of saying you grind your teeth in your sleep.
Bruxism isn’t limited to sleep time. Some people grind their teeth while awake, either consciously or unconsciously. Bruxism is a bad habit that can damage teeth and bites, leading to chips, cracks, and breaks in teeth, excessive tooth wear, and even inflamed gums.
Woodhill Dental Specialties knows it’s not easy to stop grinding your teeth, especially when you do it asleep. But we have ways to help you break this habit and save your smile.
The definition of bruxism is teeth grinding. Many people have nighttime bruxism, when they grind their teeth in their sleep, though it can also be a daytime habit.
What are bruxism symptoms? Here are some signs of teeth grinding:
What causes bruxism? There can be several causes, and the causes may differ for teeth grinding in sleep for kids and adults and adults and kids grinding teeth while awake.
Many children experience bruxism at an early age, but it often fades over time. Why do kids grind their teeth while sleeping? Children may grind their teeth because they don’t line up properly. You may also find kids grinding teeth at night because they have mouth problems like sores on their gums or cheeks.
Allergies can make it hard for the child to breathe, which can cause kids to grind teeth. They can also grind their teeth because their teeth don’t line up properly.
Bruxism causes in adults can differ from children. Stress is a main cause for adults grinding teeth. Other causes include:
Do you know how to stop bruxism? The best way is to talk to your dentist or orthodontist. We can help you or your child break the teeth-grinding habit.
The first step is to diagnose teeth grinding. Your dentist can often do this, but a sleep study may also be required.
Bruxism usually disappears in children by the time they become adolescents, often without causing major damage. However, you can talk to us about a mouthguard or nightguard for your child, which can help eliminate their bruxism and protect their teeth.
Nightguards are one of the most common ways to treat teeth grinding in both children and adults. Your dentist or orthodontist can work with you to create a professional nightguard that is customized to your teeth and jaws.
Another option is what’s called the boil-and-bite mouthguard. It’s called this because to mold it to your teeth, you first boil the plastic mouthguard until it is soft, then bite down to fit it to your teeth.
These mouthguards are fairly inexpensive and can be molded 2-3 times on average before they need to be replaced. The mouthguard or nightguard prevents you from grinding your teeth, protects your teeth, and helps keep your airway open. This can reduce or eliminate your bruxism habit.
Some people need braces after bruxism because of the damage done to the teeth and jaws. Other patients prefer clear aligners, but can you get clear aligners with bruxism? The answer is yes.
Braces or clear aligners can realign your jaws and bite, which can actually help reduce or eliminate your bruxism. It’s best to consult with your orthodontist to see whether bruxism has damaged your teeth or jaws and whether getting orthodontic treatment can help your bruxism.
Bruxism often disappears in children as they get older, but it can linger in adults and cause significant damage to your teeth and jaws.
Do you have bruxism? Do your kids grind teeth at night? If so, schedule a virtual consult or an appointment with Woodhill Dental Specialties. We can examine your teeth and help you find the best ways to end your teeth-grinding habits.
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