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 at Riverside Dental Group have more to say about the relationship between teeth grinding and stress.

All About Bruxism

, general mouth discomfort, and toothaches can result from chronic bruxism. Tooth enamel can become ground down, taking away the outer layer of protection on your teeth that can help you avoid cavities. Consistent teeth grinders often end up being diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, somewhere between five and twelve percent of people have temporomandibular joint disorder. As stress levels have heightened in our fast-paced society, dentists are seeing more teeth grinding complaints. Bruxism can cause other problems besides just dental issues, including headaches, earaches, orofacial pain, dizziness, and neck pain.

Cutting Back on Teeth Grinding

If you are a teeth grinder, try to take note of specific triggers that make your bruxism worse. Some people find that stress-relieving activities go a long way in stopping the grind and saving tooth enamel from the damaging effects. Examples of great relaxing activities would be:

  • Yoga
  • Meditation
  • A stress ball in your car or desk
  • Music
  • Journal writing
  • Talking with friends
  • A warm bath

Anything you can think of that might make you feel less stressed is likely to help you battle unconscious bruxism and save your teeth from long-term damage.

Help for Teeth Grinding in Riverside

If you grind your teeth, a nightguard can help to prevent the tooth-damaging habit. Oral appliances can hold your jaw in the ideal position. Schedule a consultation with your Riverside dentists. If you would like to reach our 92504 dentist office, call (951) 689-5031. We serve patients from Riverside and nearby communities.