If something is wrong with the teeth, it usually becomes noticeable through severe pain. However, it also happens that the teeth suffer without immediate painful consequences. For example, when the teeth are strongly pressed against each other at night and rubbed. Bruxism is what doctors call teeth grinding, which usually occurs at night.
The enormous pressure, which is about six to ten times the normal bite force, leads to a sore jaw or even abraded teeth. Bruxism patients may also suffer from headaches. In severe cases, the intense tension on the jaw muscles even leads to Tinnitus or neck pain.
Yet the unhealthy crunching is not infrequently a wrong way of coping with stress.
How can you tell if you're grinding your teeth?
Who grinds his teeth at night can thereby cause serious damage in the mouth. But not always notice this harmful habit itself or can not even assign the symptoms to the jaw. But the following alarm signals can indicate the problem:
- hardened and painful jaw muscles after standing up
- pain when chewing
- more sensitive teeth
- ground surfaces on the teeth
If you find that you are grinding your teeth or clenching them hard, you should definitely see a dentist.
He can make a suitable splint with the help of an impression. But of course that doesn't solve the problem. It is much more important to identify and eliminate the triggers of the uncontrolled movements.
Triggers for teeth grinding
The trigger or triggers for teeth grinding can usually not be identified at first glance. Sometimes misalignments of the teeth, excessive fillings or not perfectly fitting dentures such as dental bridges or crowns can be the cause of the discomfort.
In far more cases, however, the main trigger is stress. As body's reaction to mental tension many people clench their teeth while sleeping. In this way, unresolved problems, stresses, anger or grief and worries are transferred to the chewing muscles. Recently it has even been researched that other dental clinical pictures are also closely connected with psychological problems, such as undefined jaw problems or alleged Toothache without reason.
What to do about stress-related teeth grinding?
If stress is the cause of the bruxism, various Relaxation exercises as Autogenic training or Progressive muscle relaxation be useful. Also a compensatory sport, such as Yoga can help, of course.
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