What is Teeth Grinding & How Does It Affect Me?

Start Treating Your Teeth Grinding Habit

Teeth grinding is very common among both children and adults and can have lasting damage to your teeth. By learning more about what teeth grinding is, you can start preventing its effects today. Follow along for everything you need to know about teeth grinding and see if this could be an issue for you.

What is Teeth Grinding?

Teeth grinding is when one clenches their jaw, putting pressure on the teeth by rubbing against each other. Many people do this unconsciously while stressed or most commonly in their sleep. For those with sensitive teeth in particular, this can leave lasting damage to the teeth.

How Do I Know If I Grind My Teeth?

If you awake in the morning with a sore jaw or sensitive teeth, you could be grinding during the night. Often times, people will not even notice if they are grinding their teeth while awake but they will likely suffer from the same side effects. If you think you may be grinding your teeth, it is best to ask your dentist’s opinion.

What Can I Do About It?

Teeth grinding isn’t a habit you can necessarily fix by simply making a conscious effort to do so but there are ways to prevent damaging your teeth. In order to best address your teeth grinding, you should try to find out why it is happening. For many people, stress causes teeth grinding and therefore they should address the stress factor. Exercise, therapy and making more time for enjoyable activities are all great ways to reduce your stress level. If you grind your teeth in your sleep, you should get a night guard to protect your teeth from the negative effects of teeth grinding. Consult your dentist today to address your teeth grinding problem immediately.