Waking up with sore jaw muscles or a mild headache can be signs you are suffering from teeth grinding. Most people don’t even realize that they have the habit of teeth grinding until someone tells them that they are making a horrible grinding sound while sleeping. So, how do you know if you are suffering from teeth grinding? Let’s take a look at some of the teeth grinding signs that can help you find out if you are suffering from the habit.
Headache
Headaches are one of the most prominent effects of tooth grinding. Mild headaches may lead to migraines if the problem of tooth grinding isn’t treated. So, it is better to consult a dentist if you are having headaches at frequent intervals.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is one of the signs of teeth grinding. You will be shocked to know that nearly one in four people who have obstructive sleep apnea, grind their teeth at night. Managing sleep apnea will help you fix the habit of teeth grinding. The dentist may recommend a mouth guard or an orthodontic retainer to overcome the problem and prevent damage to the teeth caused by sleep apnea.
Teeth sensitivity
Teeth sensitivity is one of the teeth grinding signs. Grinding of teeth creates tiny cracks in the enamel of your teeth,gradually eroding the enamel. Erosion of teeth enamel exposes the layer under the enamel which is called as dentin. Once your dentin is exposed to the environment, it makes your teeth vulnerable and sensitive to temperature. Eating hot and cold foods may leave you with a sharp tingling sensation.
Clicking of Jaw
The habit of teeth grinding not only causes harm to your teeth but also to your jaw joint. The pressure on the joint because of the clenching of teeth can lead to Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMJ. The oral condition is signified by constant pain and stiffness in the jaw joint. Grinding of teeth may have lead to misalignment or pressure on your teeth, which affected the jaw joint. You may also hear a clicking sound coming from your jaw when you eat and speak. If you have been feeling jaw joint pain for long now, it’s time you get it checked.
You may find it normal, but in reality teeth grinding is not a good habit and can lead to severe dental problems if not treated. Visit us at Downtown Dental, if you suspect that you have the habit of teeth grinding.
