The Dangers Of Teeth Grinding

Difficult to control, this is a habit that can cause significant harm to your teeth

Most of us are probably familiar with the idea of people grinding their teeth when they are angry or stressed, but most of us also probably don’t think that it is something that we do ourselves.

This may well be the case, but one of the biggest problems with this habit is that it usually occurs when we are asleep and we are therefore both unaware of it and also unable to stop ourselves doing it.

It would only take a quick glance at the news on any given day to understand why people are becoming increasingly stressed. This can manifest itself in many ways, few of which are good for our health and well being. Heart disease and some cancers appear to be more likely if we are constantly stressed, and, if we start to grind our teeth together, they become at risk too.

Our dentists at the Cygnet Dental Practice have seen many patients with this problem over the years, and in today’s blog, we take a look at the potential damage it can cause and what our Wickford patients can do to help to minimise this.

Why does teeth grinding occur?

As mentioned above, teeth grinding, or bruxism, often occurs due to stress, and at night when we are asleep. The degree of which we do this can vary quite a lot. Over a period of time though, even relatively gentle grinding can cause damage to our teeth and it is wise to do what we can to avoid this.

Tooth wear

One of the most common issues that arises from this habit is that the enamel on our teeth starts to wear with the friction created as our teeth meet. Over a period of time, we might start to notice that our teeth feel more sensitive as the inner part becomes more exposed. Although any discomfort can be managed to a degree with a ‘sensitive teeth’ toothpaste, the damage also means that the risk of problems such as tooth decay and root canal infections become much more likely.

Cracked teeth

Anyone who grinds their teeth together may well cause significant damage if they do so quite aggressively. Chipped or cracked teeth are not uncommon and not only heighten the risk of the problems mentioned above, but may also weaken the tooth, making further damage more likely.

Shattered teeth

In extreme cases, it is not unknown for a tooth to simply break and shatter. Whilst this is relatively rare, it can happen and if you are suffering from such stress that you are doing this, you might find some of the advice a little later, very useful.

TMJ

Teeth grinding is also associated with problems with the hinge of the jaw (the temporomandibular joint). Over time, this can lead to pain and discomfort and also clicking of the jaw. Headaches and stiff necks are also not uncommon.

What can you do to help the problem?

The best thing that you can do is to ease your stress as much as possible and we will take a look at this in a moment. One thing that will help, especially where the issue occurs over a short period of time, is to make sure that your teeth are healthy by looking after them and having regular check ups. Although long term grinding will damage even the healthiest of teeth, strong teeth are more likely to survive over a shorter period of time. Make sure that your teeth are in the best health possible by having them monitored by one of our Wickford dentists.

As with many things in life, prevention is better than cure, and whilst there are mouth guards available that may help some people, the most significant thing that you can do is to prevent the problem in the first place by reducing your stress levels. This might be easier said than done but there are a few things that you can do which might help.

Relaxation exercises/meditation

Many of our patients have found that this helps a lot. There are too many different methods to list here and a wealth of information is available online. Any method that involves being still and quiet though is a good place to start.

Get into nature

Try to take a walk in the countryside or on the beach, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Breathing in fresh air will help you to forget your troubles for a short while and helps to put things into perspective.

Turn off your phone/TV

The days are gone when we discovered what was going on in the country and the world just once or twice a day. These days, we can have fresh news every few seconds, and when a major event occurs, this can be all consuming. As we usually have little control over these situations, which are all too rarely positive, it can make us quite anxious. Try taking a long ‘holiday’ from the news and give yourself a break.

Don’t turn to alcohol and smoking

In days gone by, one of the first things we might do when things became stressful is to pour a whisky and light a cigarette. Thankfully, we are better educated these days and this is one thing that you should definitely NOT do. Both smoking and excessive drinking are harmful to your teeth and gums and can lead to gum disease and oral cancer.

See your GP

Sometimes, stress is hard to avoid, such as where financial problems are significant. While we can look to change some situations, there may be instances where you might need a little help with some medication from your GP who will be able to offer their professional advice.

If you grind your teeth or have suffered any of the damage listed above and would now like to have your teeth restored, please call the Cygnet Dental Practice for an appointment on 01268 733078.