Frequent headaches, worn teeth, or broken teeth can be the result of many different factors, but one of the most common culprits is teeth grinding, clinically called “bruxism.” Many people don’t realize they grind their teeth as it often happens while they are sleeping, but it can also happen throughout the day. Dentists like Manhattan, NY dentist Dr. Brad Gorsky can easily identify teeth grinding and help you with ways to stop it and its side effects.
Why Do I Grind My Teeth?
Tooth grinding and jaw clenching are often indicative of an issue with your bite. The “bite” refers to the alignment of your teeth when you bite down. People who grind or clench their teeth often have uneven bite configurations, such as an underbite or overbite.
Teeth grinding is commonly associated with stress, whether from your own personal environmental factors or stress inside the mouth and jaw from a dental problem such as an uneven bite. When teeth, jaw, and intricate system of muscles in the mouth and neck aren’t working properly, it creates tension. This tension can lead to headaches, facial pain, and teeth grinding.
Signs of Teeth Grinding
Dentists can usually easily identify signs of teeth grinding, such as:
- Worn or dull teeth, especially chips or flat spots
- Sensitive teeth
- Jaw pain
- Frequent headaches
- Cuts or sores on the inside cheek
How to Stop Teeth Grinding
A lot of advice on putting a stop to teeth grinding centers around reducing your stress levels, but if that stress is inside the mouth and out of your control, you’ll need to seek other ways to help stop teeth grinding. Often, stress reduction and occlusal appliances are combined to treat bruxism.
There are a few different options available in the form of occlusal appliances. You might be familiar with night guards, which are a type of occlusal appliance which are custom-fitted to each patient’s mouth. These appliances fit over the top or bottom teeth to stop nighttime teeth grinding.
For more severe cases, your dentist may recommend mandibular advancement devices, which are designed to pull the jaw forward when the dentist suspects a sleep disorder is causing the problem. These devices are sometimes known as “snore guards” and help align the jaw during sleep to help with sleep apnea or snoring.
Bruxism Treatment in New York, NY
Teeth grinding can damag e teeth and keep you from living a pain-free life, so it’s important to seek treatment if you grind your teeth. Dr. Gorsky’s practice is a full-service dental office that can help you put an end to bruxism and keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Dr. Gorsky has a new convenient dental office in Larchmont. His Manhattan practice is conveniently located just a short walk from the 4, 5, 6, E, M, N, Q and R subway lines. For a consultation with Dr. Gorsky about bruxism or any other dental concern, please call 212.235.1769 or request an appointment online today!