Grinding or clenching your teeth is usually not dangerous. The medical term for it is called bruxism and is relatively common. Teeth grinding and teeth clenching occur primarily during sleep, but can also happen unconsciously while awake.
What is teeth grinding?
Teeth grinding is when you grind your teeth against each other. It is common that you are not aware of grinding your teeth, as it usually occurs during sleep. Regular grinding slowly wears down the teeth and can lead to damage and other oral health problems.
What is teeth clenching?
Just like teeth grinding, teeth clenching often occurs unconsciously during sleep. It means that you bite down hard, which can lead to overloading of muscles and jaw joints. Over time, the overload can result in damage to teeth, mouth, and jaw joints.
Causes and Symptoms of Teeth Grinding and Teeth Clenching
– Causes:
One reason why you grind and clench your teeth may be that you have an unstable bite. The unstable bite may have been caused by orthodontic treatment or lack of orthodontic treatment, as well as changes in the chewing surface of the teeth (fillings, crowns). Stress, sleep problems, and side effects from medications can be other causes of grinding or clenching your teeth.
– Symptoms:
In many cases, it is difficult to notice that you are grinding or clenching your teeth. It is often noticed by other people around you or by the dentist. The symptoms of teeth grinding and clenching differ. However, there are usually more problems with teeth clenching than grinding. Regardless of which one it is, it is always a good idea to seek care and treatment as soon as you notice a symptom.
– Abnormally rapid wear on the teeth (short front teeth)
– Jagged or sharp edges on the teeth
– The jaws click when opening or closing the mouth
– It is difficult to open your mouth wide
– The jaw muscles hurt and feel tired
– Pain in the jaw when chewing or opening wide
– The teeth feel tender or hurt
– Cracks in the teeth that cause sensitivity or pain
– Recurring problems with teeth “breaking”
Other more diffuse symptoms may include:
– Pain in the face or ears
– Headache
– Sleep disturbances
Treatment
The first step in treating problems with teeth grinding and teeth clenching is to detect it. Some are well aware of it themselves, while others find out about it first at the dentist. Failure to treat teeth grinding and teeth clenching risks resulting in permanent damage to teeth, gums, and jawbone. There is also a risk of damaging joints and muscles, which can lead to headaches and joint pain, among other things.
Treatments and measures for teeth grinding and clenching consist of:
– Bite splint to stabilize the bite and protect the teeth.
– Adjustment of the bite to create a more stable bite
– Treatment of stress, sleep problems, and anxiety
– Repair of teeth to rebuild and prevent the damage from worsening
– Training program to break the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth
High-Quality Dental Care at TandCity Clinic in Malmö
Do you need treatment for your teeth grinding in Malmö? TandCity offers dental care and treatments for teeth grinding and clenching at affordable prices, without compromising on quality. Visit one of our experienced dentists in Malmö today.
“The text above is written for online marketing purposes. The opinions are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of TandCity.”
