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What Do You Know About Bruxism?
- Posted on: Sep 30 2016
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Life can be stressful – everyone is stressed to some degree, and the search for stress-relievers is common. Yoga and meditation may help, as well as regular exercise and walking.
Did you know that stress can manifest itself in the unconscious grinding of your teeth or the clenching of your jaw? This is called bruxism and it affects approximately 40 million adults and children.
It is believed by some experts that bruxism is just a bad habit. But it may be the result of your body’s reaction to your teeth not lining up or coming together properly. This is called your “bite.”
When your teeth rub together, the outer layers of tooth enamel can wear away and teeth become sensitive. Severe bruxism can damage your teeth and even break dental fillings.
You may grind your teeth when you sleep. This is called nocturnal bruxism, and sometimes results in waking with a dull headache or facial or jaw pain (TMJ).
You may grind and clench your teeth during the day…and you may not even be aware that you’re doing it. Bruxism may also be a side effect of some medicines that treat depression, such as Prozac or Paxil, or it may be a symptom of diseases of the facial nerves and muscles.
If you suffer from bruxism and think it may be stress-related, try to research strategies that will help you relax or cut back on your intake of caffeine.
Some of the symptoms of bruxism are headaches, broken fillings, popping or clicking in your jaw, facial pain, and tight or painful jaw muscles.
If you think you may be suffering from bruxism, don’t wait – call to schedule a consultation. At that time, we will discuss your medications, your sleep habits, the possible sources of your stress and your general health. We will examine the alignment of your teeth and look for tenderness in your jaw and facial muscles. There are ways we can help: (303) 277-9600.
Posted in: Bruxism
