What are the causes behind teeth grinding?
Many people occasionally grind their teeth or clench them tightly, often during periods of stress or while sleeping. If it does not occur frequently, it does not pose a problem. However, if it happens regularly, the bite can be damaged. It is also common to experience headaches as a result of teeth grinding.
Teeth grinding or clenching can be caused by stress or anxiety, but also by sleep disorders (e.g., sleep apnea). It can also be due to an incorrect occlusion (contact between the upper and lower jaw), such as missing teeth or crooked teeth.
Indications of teeth grinding may include a tender jaw or persistent headaches.
A patient’s partner is often the one who alerts the patient to the fact that he/she grinds their teeth during the night.
Even if most people do not have a perfectly aligned bite, it can still function without issues. In some individuals, however, it can lead to an unstable bite. To adapt to this instability, the person begins to grind their teeth.
An unstable bite can also result from changes due to dental fillings or crowns if sufficient consideration has not been given to the occlusion.
The dentist must always ensure that any changes made do not have a disruptive effect on the bite, as these can cause extensive damage to the teeth, muscles, and joints.
What happens if teeth grinding is left untreated?
If Bruxism is not treated, teeth can become loose, break, or even fall out. Excessive loss of tooth substance can lead to tooth stumps, which eventually require root canals, crowns, bridges, and dental implants. Furthermore, teeth grinding can affect joints and muscles, leading to joint pain and headaches.
What can I do to stop grinding my teeth?
First of all, you must book an appointment with a dentist to have your teeth and jaw examined to determine if and what type of Bruxism you have. In most cases, the primary choice of treatment for teeth grinding is a custom-made bite guard, which is used at night and attached to either the upper or lower jaw.
Using dental impressions, the dental technician can immediately see how you grind and which teeth are causing the bite instability. Based on this information, an individual guard is manufactured for a stable bite. This prevents the lower jaw from sliding sideways and eliminates the need for muscle compensation. The guard acts as protection for the teeth and also prevents them from moving over time.
If results are seen when using the guard, there is an option to maintain it permanently in the mouth. As a treatment for teeth grinding in Malmö, the dentist can in these cases create a stable and comfortable occlusion with tailored “guides” developed by our dental technician. A combination of ceramics and composite is often used here.
If you require treatment for teeth grinding in Malmö or if you have any questions, you are welcome to contact us at TandCity. We will gladly examine your teeth, joints, and muscles to check if you are suffering from Bruxism.
FAQ before booking a dental appointment
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding is when you, usually during sleep, grind your teeth against each other. This results in the loss of tooth enamel and consequently vertical height, leading to jaw joint problems, pain, headaches, neck issues, and even changes in facial shape. A typical outcome of long-term grinding is short teeth and a sunken face that appears very wide because the facial muscles work around the clock and therefore become very powerful. Teeth grinding is most often caused by stress but can also be due to an unstable bite. This is corrected with exercises, potential bite adjustment, and a bite guard used for sleeping. A bite guard helps the jaw muscles relax and thus treats symptoms such as headaches. The bite guard also protects the teeth and the jaw joint.