Posted by Renee Eder on Jul 19 2018, 06:20 AM
There’s no doubt that Americans are stressed. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), we worry about everything from the future of our nation to money, work, crime, and violence. What do many of us do when we’re stressed? Grind our teeth!
While it’s true that stress is one reason for why we grind our teeth, it may not be the only cause. Teeth grinding (or bruxism) can be caused by a misaligned bite, sleep disorders, missing or broken teeth, or, yes, stress.
There are a few ways to determine if you do, including:
Most people want to stop their teeth grinding due to the associated jaw pain, difficulty with chewing, extreme headaches, and discomfort in the jaw area. Grinding your teeth wears down the enamel on your teeth, making it more difficult to chew and leaving your teeth more susceptible to cavities and breaking.
Here are some ways to put a stop to your teeth grinding habit:
If you are showing signs or symptoms of teeth grinding, it is best to see a dentist to determine if you have tooth damage, and how to mitigate it. Your dentist can help put your mind at ease with solutions to protect your good dental health and healthy smile. A night guard is one such possibility. Call 301-983-2165 to make an appointment for relief today!
At Potomac Dental Group, our promise to patients is to educate them about their teeth so they are empowered to make more informed decisions about their oral health and aesthetics. To schedule your next visit to our office, please contact our team.