Teeth Grinding: How it Happens, Risk Factors, and How to Stop

What causes teeth grinding? How do I stop grinding my teeth?

Teeth grinding is medically known as bruxism. Many people tend to clench their teeth here and there.  It becomes a serious problem when it evolves into a habit. This habit done regularly can cause some serious damage and even future complications in the mouth. What causes it, what are the risk factors, and how do you stop? Let’s talk about it.

How Does Teeth Grinding Happen?

It is commonly associated with stress and even anxiety. However, it most often happens while a person is asleep. Another leading cause is crooked teeth or an abnormal bite. Since it is most likely to happen at night, a person is often unaware and unable to stop.

Risk Factors

There are many factors that can put you at high risk of teeth grinding. Here are the main risk factors:

• Stress –  The result of stress can cause anger and frustration leading to grinding.
• Age – It is more commonly seen in children. This means the habit typically goes away by the time the child reaches adulthood.
• Personality type – Typically those with hyperactive or aggressive personalities are more susceptible to bruxism.
• Medications – Certain medications can have uncommon side effects.

Other disorders like ADHD, sleep-related disorders, and more, can also cause it.

How to Stop and Prevent Teeth Grinding

Your dentist can fit you with a mouth guard if you want to stop and prevent further damage. You can look here if you would like something over the counter and easy to get. This should halt teeth grinding during sleep. If anxiety and stress are your cause, then you can talk to your doctor about stress-relieving options and treatment. Sometimes, counseling or stress therapy can help. The important thing is to talk to a professional.

Conclusion

No matter your case, this habit can be a serious pain. See a professional as soon as possible if you are concerned about the health of your teeth. If it’s a matter of a crooked bite, braces are an easy fix. We can come up with the best treatment plan for you. simply schedule a free consultation with our team of professionals and we’ll get you started.