Be Kind, Don’t Grind
Bruxism, more commonly referred to as teeth grinding, is a condition in which you clench or grind your teeth. Many and even most people do not realize they have this condition because it happens subconsciously when they are sleeping. This is called sleep bruxism. Even though it is a subconscious condition or habit, it can be treated and years worth of damage done by bruxism can be repaired by your Westerville dentist.
The seriousness of bruxism can vary from patient to patient. Some individuals experience very mild teeth grinding and therefore require little to no treatment. For others it may be much more severe and frequent and lead to serious symptoms such as broken and damaged teeth, headaches, intense jaw pain and locking, as well as many other problems. Some teeth grinding may even be loud enough to awaken your spouse or sleep partner. Most people will not allow themselves to be examined for bruxism until complications and health problems develop. Regular trips to your dentist will enable you to catch any possible teeth grinding before it turns into a real grind on you.
Doctors and scientists do not fully understand the causes of bruxism. The causes may be of a physical nature or a psychological condition or maybe both. Some theories that exist concerning the causes of teeth grinding include a high amount of anxiety, fear, stress or tension in the sufferer’s life, suppressed anger, the individual may have an aggressive or hyperactive personality type, changes in the sleep patterns or cycles of the person, or can be the result of another disorder such as Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease.
A Westerville dental specialist will take the time to examine and treat your bruxism. Although the disorder is not fully understood it still remains very treatable. Make an appointment immediately and give your teeth a break.
