Grinding Teeth

Grinding Teeth

Many people grind or press their teeth tightly during different periods. When done intermittently or at intervals, it usually does not cause any health damage, unlike the constant grinding of teeth and serious health complications.

• 1

  Why do people grind their teeth?

  Although tooth grinding conditions occur mostly due to stress and constant anxiety, the person with this condition grinds his teeth during his or her sleep or subconsciously during the day. Asymmetry of the jaws, loss of certain teeth or even tooth crowding may be direct health causes of grinding of teeth.

• 2

  How do I know I'm grinding my teeth?

  Since grinding teeth takes place during the patients' sleep, most of them don't realize they're brushing their teeth while they're asleep! But they can find out by:

  
  

  • Dental grinding symptoms and indicators that include: persistent headache and jaw pain
  • Grinding teeth while sleeping makes sounds. The family of the injured person can tell him about his condition when he wakes up because they have heard him grinding his teeth in his sleep.
  • If you suspect that you are grinding your teeth during your sleep, check with your dentist. Because it is most able to examine your mouth and jaw to detect tooth grinding, it can detect any weakness in your jaw or any defect in your teeth.

   

• 3

  How can I stop grinding my teeth?

  Your doctor will prescribe a Night Guard to your mouth to help protect your teeth while you sleep. If your mental state is the cause of grinding your teeth, consult your doctor on the best treatment methods to improve your condition and reduce any stress you may experience. Your dentist can advise you to:

   

  • Exercise especially at night
  • Food balance
  • See a physical or body therapist to help you follow certain prescriptions that will help relax your muscles to ease your stress.
  • Attending medical sessions to reduce stress

   

  Other medical tips include:

   

  Refrain from caffeinated foods or beverages, such as:

  • Cola, chocolate and coffee.
  • Refrain from drinking alcohol, as the grinding of teeth intensifies after alcohol intake.
  • Do not do some or chew nail pens or other solids.
  • Avoid eating gum products as they increase the ability of your jaw muscles to press tightly down and then grind your teeth.
  • Practice not grinding your teeth. If you notice that you are grinding your teeth during your day, you should put your tongue between your teeth, as this exercise helps you relax your jaw muscles and then reduce your grinding of your teeth.
  • Relax your jaw muscles during your night's sleep, by holding a warm cloth on your cheek from the outside in front of your earlobe.
• 4

  Can children suffer from tooth grinding?

  The problem of grinding teeth is not limited to adults only. Approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth. The state of grinding of teeth in children peaks when their teeth appear as infants and also when their permanent teeth stand out. Children take off the habit of grinding their teeth when their teeth are fully developed, either in infancy or in permanent teeth.

   

  Children usually grind their teeth while they are asleep. Everyone is unaware of the reasons for the child doing this, but some health reasons are taken into account, including:

   

  • A defect in the rows of teeth.
  • A defect in the connection between upper and lower jaw teeth.
  • Some diseases or conditions such as: lack of some important nutrients, allergies of different types, disorders in the secretion of hormones
  • Psychological factors such as anxiety or family stress.

  It usually does not produce any serious damage when the baby grinds his teeth during infancy. However, grinding teeth in children can cause jaw pain, headache, maxillary diseases. See your dentist when you notice that your baby's teeth appear to be broken or when your baby is having pain or sensitivity to his teeth.

   

  Tips to help your child avoid grinding his teeth: 

   

  • Reduce any psychological stress your child may experience, especially before bedtime.
  • Massage and exercise the muscles of the jaws to help them relax.
  • Make sure your child's diets contain large amounts of water. Because the lack of water from the child's body may be one of the reasons for grinding his teeth.
  • Ask your dentist to provide comprehensive care for your child.

   

  Dental grinding cases in children before the age of school do not require any medical intervention. However, older children need to install temporary crowns and other medical devices or devices, such as: a protective device used at night to prevent grinding of teeth.