Teeth Grinding

Teeth Grinding

3rd April 2023

The causes, effects & treatment options

Do you grind your teeth? Research suggests that teeth grinding affects more than 10% of the population, so you are not alone. Teeth grinding (also known as bruxism) is often related to stress or anxiety. There are various factors and in this blog post, we will look at the reasons why people grind their teeth, the effects and how it can be prevented. 

Causes

Lots of people grind or clench their teeth occasionally and some of those people will only do this at night. Many are unaware that they grind or clench their teeth until they experience some degree of pain or discomfort. 

There are many causes including stress and anxiety which are the most common causes for teeth grinding. But an abnormal bite or sleep disorder such as sleep apnoea or snoring can also be linked to teeth grinding. Teeth grinding can occur at any stage in life, whether asleep or awake, and can occur in children and teenagers as well as adults.

Effects

Most people will wake up with a headache and/or sore jaw suggesting that they are grinding their teeth in their sleep. Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw can result in symptoms which include:

• Pain in the jaw 
• Face, neck and shoulder pain
• Damaged or worn down teeth
• Broken teeth or fillings, which may cause increased sensitivity
• Headaches
• Ear aches
• Disturbed sleep

Over time, this can damage the structure of your teeth and can cause more cracks or broken teeth which will require more invasive treatment.

Treatment

There are many different methods for treating teeth grinding and your dentist will recommend the best option for you. Newer modern techniques such as Masseter (Jaw Slimming) can be used to help patients with bruxism. Some people will opt for a bespoke mouth guard or mouth splint to protect and prevent any further wear of the teeth and reduce associated pain.

Vertüe Dental provides both general & cosmetic dentistry in Pinner with an emphasis on preventative care in surrounding areas of Pinner including; Hatch End, Northwood, Harrow, Ruislip, Eastcote and other areas across Middlesex and Hertfordshire.

Vertüe Dental offers a wide range of teeth grinding treatment options at our clinic in Pinner including custom made mouthguards and Wrinkle Correction.  

Vertüe Dental does not just provide cosmetic dentistry in Pinner, but we also provide excellent dental prevention care and general dentistry in Pinner, Hatch End, Northwood, Harrow, Ruislip, Eastcote and other areas across Middlesex and Hertfordshire.

We hope you have found this blog useful and please feel to share it with others who may also find it beneficial to read!

If you would like to book a consultation directly with Dr Varma to see how he can assist you in maintaining or improving your dental health, please visit Vertüe Dental Pinner, providing exceptional dental care to patients in North West London.