Are You Clenching Your Teeth?

Do you ever have concerns about teeth grinding or clenching?  People tend to clench or grind teeth from time to time that does not tend to cause much harm.  However, people that constantly clench on a regular basis

Marietta Dentist Can Help with Grinding and Clenching of Teeth

can cause damage and complications.

Studies have shown that most people clench or grind teeth during sleep. Its often caused by stress and anxiety in which people may be unaware.  Most people usually find out about there clenching or grinding from a loved one that hears it at night.  

Bruxism is the term used for chronic clenching or grinding.  Bruxism can result in a mild headache and a sore jaw most.  Grinding can become harmful and result in fracturing teeth, loosening teeth and even tooth loss.  Some chronic grinders actually grind their teeth enough to require a Marietta crown, bridge, root canals, partial dentures, implant crowns, teeth extractions or full dentures.  Worse case scenarios can lead to hearing loss, TMD/TMJ, or change of appearance of the jaw.  

If suspected that clenching or grinding is happening, its important to contact a dentist for an check up.  The dentist can check teeth and jaw to see what steps need to be taken to stop this problem.  A night guard might be recommended to wear at night while asleep.  The night guard will help protect teeth.  If stress seems to be the issue then the dentist may give some tips on how to relieve stress to control clenching or grinding.  The dentist may recommend to cut back on food and drinks that contain caffeine such as coffee, chocolate or sodas because they often intensify the problem.  Avoidance of alcohol can also help for chronic cases.  It's important to get bruxism under control as soon as possible to avoid long term problems.  Grinding and clenching is a common problem that usually can be controlled with help from a dentist.