Teeth grinding sounds like it belongs to a cartoon version of an angry person, but it is a real world problem that can cause significant dental issues. Recognising this will help you realise when you need to seek professional advice.
What is teeth grinding?
Properly known as bruxism, teeth grinding is when someone rubs their top and bottom teeth together, often unconsciously, whilst they are asleep. It is generally thought that the cause is stress. Unlike issues such as tooth decay, which can be avoided with good oral hygiene, it cannot really be stopped, though there are ways to mitigate the damage.
Why is it harmful?
Teeth grinding can slowly erode your teeth, wearing away the enamel. If it goes on long enough, it could cause chips or breaks, or even loosen the teeth. A wobbly tooth is at risk of falling out completely. If you have had previous dental work, such as a filling, teeth grinding can also damage that by knocking the filling out of the tooth. Outside of the teeth, headaches, jaw aches and jaw clicking may be caused by teeth grinding.
How can you fix it?
Stress relieving techniques such as meditation may reduce teeth grinding, but if that does not work, you may need to visit a dentist Bournemouth such as https://gentledentistry.co.uk to discuss a protective mouth guard. Treatments such as veneers may cover any existing damage.
With a better understanding of the damage that can be caused by teeth grinding, you will hopefully no longer dismiss this habit as minor.
