Night Grinding: Causes

Night grinding, or bruxism, is very common; about 1 in 10 people do it; what is unusual is that many people have no idea they are doing it. Often, the first knowledge of the night grinding or clenching of teeth is when a partner reveals that you are gnashing away in your sleep! There are two main causes; malocclusion, which is where your teeth do not meet properly or, stress related illnesses. The idea that teeth poorly meeting causes night grinding is not one all dentists agree on. However, for some, having their teeth properly aligned does reduce the night grinding.  The most supported theory is that night grinding is a way to release tension, caused by the stresses of the day.

Night grinding: Symptoms

Those who grind their teeth may be unaware that they are doing it until their dentist suggests it. The common symptoms of bruxism are; aching jaw from clenching; chipped or jagged teeth; headaches in the morning; neck and shoulder pain; loosened teeth and increased tooth sensitivity because the tooth has been ground away exposing the nerve endings.

Night Grinding: Treatment

There are a number of lifestyle factors that, if changed, may reduce night grinding. Avoid drinks containing caffeine, chewing gum, and cut down on alcohol consumption. As stress is the number one cause that the medical profession agrees on; reduce your stress through meditation, warm baths, soothing music. Some homeopathic medicines are known to be beneficial in combating stress. Where night grinding is affecting the structure of the teeth and causing pain, more significant intervention is required. Orthodontic treatments to realign crooked teeth can help. The main treatment is aimed at preventing the damage caused by night grinding; by fitting a mouth guard for night-time. Mouth guards are commonly used in contact sports to protect teeth from damage; they are made of plastic and vary in design. There are three types of mouth guard; off the shelf mouth protectors found in sporting goods stores; boil and bite mouth guards which are softened in hot water then fitted in the mouth to the wearers teeth; or the custom made dentists night guards. The sporting goods mouth protector is; standard size, frequently bulky and uncomfortable and makes talking very difficult. This is not a solution recommended by dentists. The boil and bite mouth guard is made from thermoplastic material, and more malleable, but hard to fit properly without professional advice. For an exact fit that will protect your teeth from the effects of night grinding it is crucial to get advice from a dentist. An effective night guard must be comfortable, durable, tear resistant and easy to clean. Night guards should not restrict your breathing or speech. One of the best night guards on the market is the “Dr Brux Night Grinding Guard”. This meets the need for a customizable bite tray without costing an excessive amount. The night guard fits to the top row of teeth, acting as a firm barrier between the teeth. The Dr Brux version, as well as being affordable, can last for years with standard use. It has two degrees of hardness; one to give stability and comfort to the outer teeth and gums; the second, harder part, supports the teeth when grinding, allowing movement that resists deterioration. For more information, and for other night guards see oral care products. There is no cure for night grinding of teeth; but sensible precautions can minimise the damage it causes to the structure of the teeth and jaw.

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Causes
The causes of night grinding are few in number, which is a good thing. The fewer the causes, the more likely you are to know if you are at a great risk for night grinding. Common causes include an abnormal bite or missing or gapped teeth. If you are missing a tooth or more, or have an over or under bite, chances are you could be a night grinder. This is because subconsciously your mouth tries to close down until it feels a tooth where there isn’t one, making the rest of your teeth painfully grinding in your sleep. Other common causes of night grinding include stress or anxiety, so those with very stressful jobs or lives, or those who have been going through a very stress and anxiety filled time, you could be a victim of night grinding.

Symptoms
There are quite a few symptoms of night grinding, and though you may only exhibit one, or up to five or six of these symptoms at a time, it is worth seeing a doctor over either way. Headaches or chronic facial pain while awake are very good symptoms of night grinding, indicating the pressure your head is under while your teeth are grinding. Other symptoms include noise while grinding that is even loud enough to wake yourself or your partner, chewed tissue in the mouth, indentations on the tongue, increased tooth sensitivity, and ear aches. More are tooth wear, flattening, cracking or breaking, and enlarged jaw muscles.

Treatment
Treatments of night grinding are varied depending on what the estimated cause of the grinding is. For some, this means therapy and stress management exercises to help ease anxiety as you sleep. For others, it is simply a matter of re-forming habits of how you hold your mouth. This is especially true if you have an abnormal bite or missing tooth. If you have a habit in the day, you’re likely to have it at night. There are several dental approaches as well, including the correction of misaligned teeth or filling in a gap from a missing tooth, mouth guards that hold your mouth in the proper position so you cannot grind or clench your jaw, and even splints, or frames that go over your upper or lower teeth to block grinding. One of the most effective night grinding guards is the Dr. Brux Bruxism Bite Tray Guard.

© Copyright Whiter Smile : Australia’s Largest Teeth Whitening Superstore! Stocking a huge range of the best teeth whitening, tooth bleaching, bad breath, and oral health products on the planet. Best Price Guarantee!

http://www.whitersmile.com.au