Clenching Teeth At Night: Disorder That Results In Some Unsightly Aftereffects

We often hear complaints from aggrieved partners about the cacophony, loud snoring can create. Some say that the noise of clenching teeth at night is even more. Be that as it may, the question still remains – isn’t teeth clenching normal?

Of course, we do. But teeth gnashing becomes a medical problem needing therapy, when the grinding is continuous and shows up through various unsightly manifestations like flattened teeth, damaged gums, chipped enamel and more. This condition may not be a life-threatening health condition but it can cause serious damage to teeth and gums which pave the way to other ailments.

What exactly happens when people gnash their teeth?

Teeth clenching is medically known as bruxism. It is a completely involuntary and purposeless action involving two sets of teeth gnashing against each other with considerable pressure. In fact the pressure can be 14 times higher than normal chewing pressure. Though bruxism may happen during the day, teeth grinding at night is more common.

Men, women or children – anyone can indulge in teeth gnashing. But with children, it is usually temporary and reduce with time and age of the child.

One of the most damaging aspects of this disorder is that most of the activity happens during sleep, without the knowledge of the patient. The after-effects are noticed subsequently when substantial damage has already been done to the dentition and gums in terms of chipped or broken teeth, etc.

What are the likely causes?

There are two answers to this question: (1) doctors feel that it is caused by unexpressed frustration, stress, anxiety, etc; (2) dentists believe that it is caused by misalignment of teeth.

It is also believed that personalities with certain characteristic traits are more prone to teeth this condition. Such people include people who are: over aggressive, hyperactive, competitive and rushed. The condition could also be fallout of some pre-existing sleep disorders like sleep apnea, sleep paralysis, etc,

Bruxism symptoms: waking up after the event

There are hardly any signs prior to the onset of the disorder. You know you grind your teeth when you witness the aftermath:
- Noise is loud enough to wake up the person sharing the same bed.
- Damaged and flattened teeth, chipped at the edges
- Chipped teeth enamel
- Heightened tooth sensitivity
- Pain in the jaw and ears; headaches and facial ache
- Presence of chewed tissues in the mouth.

How to stop teeth grinding: find out why it happens

The best way to get out of this habit is to know what could be the possible triggers that are pushing you to grind your teeth. Since stress is the most common reason, involving 70% of sufferers, chances are high that timely and effective stress reduction can help you to stop such nighttime activity in future.

A few of the proven stress busters include yoga, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, relaxation, meditation, etc. Of course there is no dearth of other stress-reducing techniques as well that can be tried.

In summary, to prevent teeth grinding at night is not tough, provided you are aware of the existence of the problem and better manage the factors that cause it.

What are the ways to prevent teeth grinding from happening or getting worse than it already is? Visit Marc Macdonald’s site to get the best advice on teeth clenching.

Tagged with: conditions • dental • dental care • dental health • diseases and conditions • diseases and disorders • disorders • general health • health • health conditions • illness • teeth • teeth clenching • teeth grinding

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