I need help with grinding my teeth in my sleep
Teeth grinding in my sleep - Auckland, St Heliers. Find out whether your dental problems are caused by night-time bruxism.
You may not know you are doing it, but grinding your teeth at night can lead to a range of dental issues.
How do I know if I am grinding my teeth at night?
Unless someone tells you that you’re doing it, you might be unaware you suffer from bruxism. However, there are telltale symptoms that you have been grinding your teeth at night, such as sleeping poorly, abrasions on the inside of your cheek that you don’t remember causing, aching jaw muscles or headaches in the morning, sore face or ears, or unexplained tooth damage. If you are wearing down the enamel on your teeth, your dentist will pick it up during your regular examinations and at an early age.
Why do I grind my teeth at night?
Bruxism has a wide range of causes. Sometimes it happens because you are anxious, stressed, or angry. When it happens at night, it’s often because you have a problem with your bite, such as crooked or missing teeth, or because you have sleep apnoea. Interestingly, bruxism can be hereditary. Other potential causes of nocturnal teeth grinding include Parkinson’s disease, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, and epilepsy. Bruxism is more common in young people and is something you can grow out of. Because bruxism can have a serious underlying cause, it’s important to find out why you are doing it.
What treatments are available for grinding my teeth at night?
Initially, a nightguard, otherwise known as a protective mouth guide, is made to protect your teeth until we can help you work out why you’re grinding them and fix any damage that has been done. It is worn every night to protect your teeth from further damage.
Common questions about grinding your teeth at night
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Bruxism affects people of all ages. Children will often grind their teeth at night when they have new teeth coming through. Adult bruxism is less common but there are many ways we can help you deal with it. Talk to us about your concerns and we’ll find the best way to manage your specific issue.
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There are many causes for bruxism, including stress, anxiety, genetics, medications, sleep problems, health conditions, or issues with your bite. It’s important to work out why you are grinding your teeth in case the cause is a medical issue that also needs treating.
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To treat your bruxism, we need to uncover the cause. If it is anxiety related, you may need therapies or medications to help you relax. Sometimes we will recommend a professionally fitted bite plate for you to wear at night. We will refer you to your GP if we think there is a medical issue causing you to grind your teeth.
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Constantly grinding your teeth will wear away the enamel on your biting surfaces, eventually exposing the soft inner part of the teeth, which will result in toothache. It can also chip or crack your teeth or make them sensitive. Severe bruxism may even result in tooth loss.
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The best way to prevent the onset of bruxism is with a healthy lifestyle, good oral hygiene, and staying up to date with your dental care. Since night-time teeth grinding is often caused by bite problems, treating missing or crooked teeth promptly will lower the risk of bruxism developing.
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The cost of treating bruxism depends on the cause of the problem and how much damage it has done to your teeth. Once we have worked out the best treatment plan for you, we’ll discuss the costs and payment options that work best for you.