You may notice cracked teeth, damage to dental implants or bridges, loose teeth or chipped enamel if you grid your teeth if you grind them regularly. Your dentist may notice gum disease and teeth that are worn flat or grooved deeper.
Grinding your teeth may give you an earache, sore jaw, or neck pain, so if you frequently experience any of these symptoms, ask your dentist.
Causes of Teeth Grinding
There are several physiological and psychological reasons why you may be grinding your teeth, and the cause will drive the type of treatment. The causes vary and may include:
- Stress, Emotional Issues, Anger and Frustration
- Financial issues
- Job Stress
- Marital Problems and Divorce
- Aggressive, Competitive or Hyperactive Personality Type
- Abnormal Alignment of Teeth
- Acid Reflux
- Some Psychiatric Medications and Antidepressants
- Some Disorders including Huntington’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease
- Tobacco, Alcohol, Caffeine and other Stimulants
There are some patients who have none of these concerns and still exhibit grinding. There cause may never be known. Whether you know the cause or not, a custom mouth guard, bite adjustment, stress reduction, or medication may be needed to prevent further damage.
A Mouth Guard to Prevent Teeth Grinding
For those issues that cannot be helped through physiological means or medication, it may be necessary to use a fitted mouth guard to prevent the damage. There are many long-term effects from grinding teeth, such as cracked and broken teeth, changes to the tooth surface and wearing of the tooth enamel, tooth sensitivity, and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD).
If you are experiencing any symptoms of teeth grinding, contact Family SmileCare Center, of Cedar Rapids, and save your teeth from damage and yourself from pain that it can cause.