Do you grind your teeth at night or even during the day? You may be experiencing teeth grinding, also commonly known as bruxism, whether it’s in the form of anxiety, an abnormal or crooked bite, stress in your daily life, a sleep disorder, or a habit. Bruxism symptoms include:
– Pain that doesn’t go away in your face or jaw
– Consistent headaches
– Painful/loose/ fractured teeth
– A swollen jaw or swelling in the face
– Noticeable grinding at night
– Jaw muscles contractions
Related problems such as irritation in the mouth, misaligned teeth, or even allergies can be the cause of grinding, especially for children. Talk to your dentist about which treatment options are best for your child’s or even your own grinding. Some treatments include:
– Fix the alignment of your smile to stop grinding your teeth by consulting with your dentist how your bite can be corrected.
– Your dentist may recommend a mouth guard that will stop you from grinding your teeth at night.
– Warm your jaw and face with a wet washcloth before bed to loosen it. This can help relax the jaw and cheeks before you fall asleep.
– Pinpoint the things in your life that may be causing you stress and cut them out with exercise, counseling sessions, and group therapy. This will help to reduce any stress.
First Care Dental wants to give you the care whether you need it so you can get back to a decent night’s sleep or stop grinding from damaging your teeth. Call Dr. Ben Taylor at 502-893-5677 to get a consultation or make an appointment here in Louisville, Kentucky. Our team want to help you get the best treatment for you and your teeth!