Damage from clenching and grinding

Do you ever wake up with a sore jaw, headaches, ear pain or sensitive teeth? These are signs of sleep bruxism or grinding your teeth. This potentially damaging condition affects up to 16% of adults worldwide.

It can be a canary in the coal mine, as people who clench or grind their teeth in their sleep are much more likely to suffer from sleep apnea and snoring, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Bruxism can cause enamel to wear off teeth and expose dentin. This material is softer than enamel and more susceptible to decay. It can also seriously crack and chip your teeth. 

If you have a feeling you may be grinding your teeth at night or during the day, we can help diagnose you and provide relief. Pain relievers and hot/cold compresses are short-term approaches. We can also create a custom night guard, which has been shown to relieve jaw joint pain 80% of the time when worn nightly, making it the first line of defense against clenching and grinding.

Since it’s believed that stress is an underlying cause of bruxism, I usually recommend people explore calming avenues like yoga, meditation or exercise. Studies have also shown that caffeine, alcohol and smoking, especially in the evening, can exacerbate grinding.

Chewing gum is not ideal, as it can tire an already overworked jaw muscle. 

In cases where teeth may be damaged, no worries, we can fix them through bonding, reshaping, crowns or making bridges. If you are suffering from jaw pain, give us a call. We can help.

Fehring Family Dentistry is located at 29473 Lorain Road, just west of Stearns Road, in North Olmsted. Call 440-777-4444 or visit FehringFamilyDentistry.com for more information.