Sometimes Life = Stress. It’s true.
We are all stressed to some degree, making the search for stress-relief very common. Walking helps…so does meditation, yoga and regular exercise. But did you know that stress can manifest itself in unconscious jaw clenching or teeth grinding? This is called bruxism and it affects approximately 40 million children and adults.
Continue reading to learn more:
• It is believed by some experts that bruxism is nothing more than 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 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.
• Bruxism symptoms may be alleviated by limiting your intake of caffeine.
• If you suffer from bruxism and think it may be stress-related, try to research strategies that will help you relax.
Some of the symptoms of bruxism are facial pain, headache, popping or clicking in your jaw, tight or painful jaw muscles and broken fillings.
If you think you suffer from bruxism, don’t suffer any longer, call our office for a consultation. There are treatment modalities that can help. At your consultation, 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. We look forward to helping you: (561) 627-9000.