Brightening Lives With New Smiles

Stopping Teeth Grinding with Orthodontic Treatment

At some point growing up, you probably had someone tell you not to grind your teeth. However, teeth grinding isn’t always simple. For some people, teeth grinding is a compulsive force of habit caused by stress, anxiety, or boredom. For others, it’s causes are more subconscious and mysterious. There’s actually a technical term for teeth grinding.  

It’s called bruxism.  

Bruxism can be experienced while you’re awake or while you’re sleeping. Sleeping bruxism can be more severe, and it’s causes are often generally harder to pinpoint. Possible causes of bruxism include psychological issues, medications, sleeping disorders, and dental problems. 

Regardless of the type of bruxism that’s being experiencedit isn’t something you want to ignore.  

Is Teeth Grinding Serious 

While teeth grinding certainly isn’t fatal, it can lead to a number of unpleasant problems. For starters, it wears down and damages your teeth. This generally leads to tooth pain. With your enamel worn down, your teeth are exposed to further damage and are susceptible to cavities and infection. 

You may also start to feel soreness in your face, jaw, and neck. You may even experience pain that feels like an earache. Those who have bruxism when they sleep may have trouble getting well rested. 

Orthodontic Treatment Can Help 

Though there can be different causes for bruxism, one common contributing factors is the misalignment of your teeth. When teeth can’t close properly, it can result in a person grinding their teeth together. With alignment treatment such as braces or Invisalign, you may be able to put a stop to this destructive habit. 

Whether you experience awake bruxism or sleeping bruxism, orthodontic treatment may be able to help you out. Additionally, it will leave you with a healthier, more confident smileFor an orthodontist in the Beavercreek area, contact Dhingra Orthodontics today!