Teeth grinding and clenching is fairly common from time to time, but when it becomes a chronic problem, you may find yourself suffering the consequences. When you come to our Norfolk, MA dental office with specific symptoms we associate with teeth clenching and grinding, it might be time to take action and protect yourself.
Some of the common causes of teeth grinding include:
- Malocclusion - a bad bite
- Stress
- Nicotine
- Alcohol
- Certain medications
While you can improve symptoms with lifestyle adjustments, it is important to wear a nightguard as a preventive measure.
Symptoms of Grinding Your Teeth
Bite marks inside the cheek – One of the telltale signs of teeth grinding is that you may find white bite marks inside your cheeks that feel tender and don’t go away completely.
Worn and chipped teeth – Wear on the teeth that makes them look short or sheared down also indicate a teeth grinding habit. Chips near the edges of teeth or notches at the gumline also give us a clue that you have a bruxism habit.
Headaches, neck aches, and jaw pain – Our jaws are super strong and expert an enormous amount of force, especially unconsciously while we sleep. If you wake up feeling like your jaw has been working out all night, it might be time to get a nightguard in our Norfolk, MA dental office.
Gum recession - Constant pressure on the teeth can detach the ligaments that connect the teeth and gums. When this happens chronically, the gums may begin to pull back away from the teeth.
Teeth sensitivity - Teeth can feel sensitive for a number of reasons, but if you have not whitened your teeth lately and you have sensitive teeth, teeth grinding might be the cause.
Untreated teeth grinding and clenching can mean cracked teeth and tooth loss. We can help you address teeth grinding and clenching when you give us a call to set up an appointment.