Do you grind your teeth at night? here’s what to do!

If you are like most people, you probably grind your teeth on that rare occasion. Usually in your sleep. Occasional teeth grinding or bruxism, usually does not cause harm. However, if you grind your teeth on a regular basis, you can suffer oral health issues. If you do grind your teeth on a regular basis, you might want to pay a visit to your Chino Hills family dentist for a night guard.

Reasons why you grind your teeth

The exact cause of sleep bruxism is not known or fully understood. It has been discovered that several factors may play a role such as anxiety, stress, heavy alcohol use and caffeine. Recent studies show that teeth grinding episodes during sleep are preceded by an increase in brain activity and heart rate. This suggests that your central nervous system might be a major factor in the initiation of teeth grinding.

Diagnosis

If you suffer jaw discomfort or general fatigue when you wake up in the morning, it could be a sign you grind your teeth at night. If you have enlarged jaw muscles or excessive tooth wear, it could be a sign of bruxism. See your dentist to confirm the diagnosis via clinical examination. Other signs that indicate you might suffer bruxism include tooth sensitivity, frequent waking during the night and waking up with a headache.

Treatment

A bite guard worn at night is the cornerstone treatment for teeth grinding but medications, including muscle relaxers, can be used for short-term control. There are also other drugs that are currently being investigated for treatment.

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