Teeth grinding and jaw clenching are common among people of all ages and are usually related to anxiety, stress and similar conditions. Also known as ‘bruxism’, this condition often affects people without them realising it (often because they’re asleep while they’re doing it) and can cause a range of symptoms, including migraines, headaches and facial pain.
How Do I Know If I Grind My Teeth or Clench My Jaws?
It’s often the case that people don’t realise they’re grinding their teeth or have a tendency to clench their jaws, but there are some tell-tale signs to look out for. Signs that you grind your teeth or clench your jaw while sleeping, during times of anxiety or stress, or while you’re concentrating, and could benefit from a mouth guard include:
- You catch yourself doing it. If you notice that you’re grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw, try to be aware of it. It may not resolve the issue, but you’ll be aware of it and can then seek suitable treatment.
- You regularly have a headache in the morning. People who grind their teeth at night often wake up with a headache or facial pain. Along with a Splint, night guard or mouth guard, relaxation or meditation exercises before going to bed may be helpful.
- You have a chipped or worn tooth. Some people become aware that they grind their teeth when they notice signs of damage, like chipped or worn teeth.
- You take antidepressants. Some antidepressants contain ingredients which cause side effects like teeth grinding at night.
While teeth grinding is an issue that affects many people, you don’t have to suffer, as solutions are available, such as psychological treatments if it’s stress or anxiety-related and investing in a custom mouth guard to protect your teeth. A custom mouth guard is the right move as stock mouth guards won’t stay in place and may fall out during the night. If you’re interested in custom mouth guards, contact our dentists in North Brisbane.
How Does A Mouth Guard Help?
By creating a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, and evenly distributing the pressure right across your jaw, a mouth guard prevents your teeth from grinding against each other and softens the pressure of the upper and lower jaws coming into contact.
Wearing a splint, night guard or mouth guard is, therefore, an effective way to protect your teeth for those who grind their teeth while sleeping. While it won’t resolve the root cause of the issue, it will protect your teeth from further damage and minimise the sound of the grinding. For those with a spouse or partner affected by the noise of you grinding your teeth at night, a custom mouth guard is an investment that will benefit both of you.
Looking for a dentist in North Brisbane offering mouth guards for sports as well as teeth grinding? Our qualified and highly-experienced dentists at Mango Hill Dental offer custom mouth guards and a range of dental services. To book an appointment, call 07 3482 2209.