How to Tell If Your Teeth Are Grinding
Back in September, Dr. Tammy Chen, a Manhattan-based dentist, wrote an article for the New York Times detailing how the number of patients coming in with tooth fractures has increased since her reopening in June. Given that we are all living in a global pandemic and especially hot elections, this makes sense. These events are stressful, and stress can cause some people to grind and / or grit their teeth, which can lead to a cracked tooth (or, in some cases, multiple teeth).
But many people don’t even realize that they have been grinding and / or clenching their teeth, so it comes as a surprise to their dentist when their dentist says that this is likely the cause of a fractured tooth. If you suspect that you are gritting or gritting your teeth, here are some ways to find out – ideally before you crack something.
Why do people grit their teeth?
Like Chen, Dr. Todd Bertman, a practicing dentist with nearly 20 years of experience and owner of Advanced Dental Arts , recently noticed an increase in bruxism , a technical term for grinding, grinding and / or clenching teeth. “Teeth grinding and clenching is more common than ever before,” he tells Lifehacker. “This has always been a problem that dentists have addressed because they can see it clinically. Usually, patients do not even know they are doing this until it is too late and the teeth do not break, clump or move. “
According to Bertman, bruxism is considered a neurological response in the body. “It is a combination of physical, psychological and genetic factors that are mostly manifested during sleep, but also sometimes awake during moments of concentration,” he explains. We know that periods of intense stress can increase both the frequency and magnitude of bruxism, when squeezing and grinding puts several hundred pounds of pressure on the teeth. Additionally, Bertman says certain medications, such as Adderall, can contribute to bruxism, as can sleep problems such as sleep apnea.
What are the signs and symptoms of bruxism?
While it is common for a dentist to be the first to notice signs of grinding and / or constriction during an exam, there are a few things to watch out for. According to Bertman, these include:
- Tooth wear
- Excessive marks on teeth
- Broken teeth
- Cold sensitivity
- Misaligned teeth
- Hypertrophic jaw muscles (square jaw)
- Wake up with jaw pain
- Sleeping with headaches, especially on the sides of the head (temporal muscles) and / or in the forehead (frontal muscles). (Bertman points out that this symptom is usually the result of squeezing, not crushing.)
It’s also important to know what you are doing with your teeth, as Chen points out in her article :
Are your teeth currently touching? Even when you are reading this article? If so, this is a sure sign that you have done some kind of harm – your teeth should not touch at all during the day, unless you are eating or chewing food. Instead, your jaw should be relaxed, leaving a small space between your teeth when your lips are closed. Be careful and try to keep yourself from chopping when you catch yourself doing it.
What are the treatment options for grinding / pinching?
The most common treatment for bruxism is the night guard, which “creates a physical barrier by absorbing and dissipating pressure,” explains Chen . While there are over-the-counter night guards at your pharmacy, Bertman does not recommend using them because they are too soft and can actually contribute to your crunching and / or squeezing habit, causing more damage in the long run. Instead, he recommends getting an individual night watchman from your dentist.
Botox treatment is another option; Bertman says Botox has the ability to slow and restrict the full range of muscles and is most effective when used in conjunction with a night watchman.
Ideally, treating your grinding and / or squeezing will prevent your teeth from cracking, but it is still possible to break a tooth by wearing a night guard. “Bruxism can be very damaging to your lifestyle,” explains Bertman. “If you feel this may be a problem for you, it is best to talk to your dentist.”