Why You Grind Your Teeth at Night
If you’ve woken up one day with a sore jaw and don’t know what happened, it’s likely you were grinding your teeth (bruxism) in your sleep. It can not only cause pain in your jaw, but also other face pain, headaches, and if continued, damage and wear to your teeth. In severe cases it can cause significant issues in your teeth including those that require major dental procedures such as crowns, bridges, root canals, etc.
There are several reasons why you might be grinding your teeth including stress and anxiety, but it’s also likely you might have an abnormal bite caused by crooked or missing teeth. If you think you might be grinding your teeth, consult your dentist. He or she can check for signs of bruxism and also see if you have any irregularities in your teeth, bite, or jaw.
If you do in fact show signs of grinding your teeth on a regular basis, your dentist can fit you for a mouth guard, which will protect your teeth during sleep. You can also ask about correcting your misaligned teeth to see if this can help the situation. It’s also important to note if you have significant stressors in your life that may be causing you to “act out” in this way during your sleep. Reducing stress in waking life can give you restful, peaceful sleep at night. There are other things that can help you avoid grinding your teeth. These include avoiding chewing gum as well as chewing on pencils or pens – the more you let your jaw muscles relax, the better.
Sources:
“Bruxism/Teeth Grinding.” Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bruxism/DS00337/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
Accessed January 30, 2012
“Dental Health and Teeth Grinding.” Web MD. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/teeth-grinding-bruxism
Accessed January 30, 2012
