Teeth grinding can be extremely hazardous to your long term dental health. Grinding affects most of your teeth and can be extremely difficult to repair if it continues for a long period of time without treatment.
Grinding occurs mostly during sleep. Diagnosing it in early stages becomes difficult due to patients being unaware they are grinding.
Signs you may be grinding
- Worn down teeth
- Stiffness and pain in the jaw
- Earache or pain in the jaw joint
- Interrupted sleep
- Tension headaches and facial pain
- Fillings chipping and breaking
- Painful teeth that may be sensitive to hot/cold
Grinding is often associated with stress, but it can be linked to other lifestyle factors and can occur at any age.
An occlusal night splint may be recommended to help protect your teeth while you sleep. The splint is custom made to fit your teeth, while it may take some time in the beginning to get use to wearing the splint, in a couple of days you will be comfortable.
