Around 30% of us grind our teeth at night. The dental term for it is Bruxism. This can unknowingly be the cause of headaches and tension in the neck and shoulders. Common signs are worn or chipped teeth.
Grinding and clenching can also cause damage to your smile by affecting your veneers, crowns , Implants and increased wear of fillings that have already been fitted by your dentist.
Dentists like myself can spot if you are grinding your teeth. Sometimes the symptoms of it can go untreated for months possibly years. These can manifest by having headaches or jaw ache or neck pain especially in the morning. Jaw muscles can ache and jaw joints can click on opening or closing. Chewing may also be uncomfortable. Other tell tales signs are biting the inside of your cheeks or tongue regularly.
It can be treated at my clinic by the construction of soft plastic mouth guard that is made to measure and should be worn at night or whenever the need arises even during the day for a few hours at a time to train the muscles not to bite so hard.
It is best to stay ‘destressed’ as much as possible. Reduce your caffeine load especially in the evenings and before bed, relax with nice pleasant thoughts and unwind gradually before falling asleep leaving the tensions of the day behind you till the next day at the very least.
If you or anyone you know are or have been getting the symptoms that I described above why don’t you come in and see us? After all you got nothing to lose and will probably gain a more restful sleep in return. Call us today at Tewkesbury Dental on 01684 295900. We’ll be glad to help you.