How Spokane Valley’s Cascade Dental Can Help with Stress-Induced Teeth Grinding


How Spokane Valley’s Cascade Dental Can Help with Stress-Induced Teeth Grinding
The stresses of everyday life can really get to you, and sometimes that stress will find its way to manifest itself in strange places, like your jaw. If you’ve ever woken up with a sore face, a headache, or found out that your teeth are overly sensitive, you might be suffering from stress-induced teeth grinding, otherwise known as bruxism. It’s a daily affliction, and it’s far more than a mere annoyance. Nighttime teeth grinding is a serious oral health problem, but understanding how stress affects your smile is the solution.
The Sneaky Impact of Stress on Your Smile
Stress-induced bruxism is when you unconsciously clench or grind your teeth every night during sleep. Chances are, you don’t even know you’re doing it. While most consider teeth grinding to be simply a bit of morning jaw stiffness, the consequences can be downright serious. The constant pressure and friction wear down your tooth enamel, which eventually results in cracks or tooth loss. In addition to your teeth, this habit strains your jaw muscles, leading to tension headaches, ear aches, and radiating pain into your neck and shoulders. Alone, it can even cause more intricate issues like Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders. The cycle can be difficult to interrupt because the physical discomfort can then increase your stress levels.
Effective and Compassionate Solutions for Bruxism
When you come in for a TMJ treatment consultation in our Spokane Valley office, we start with a thorough examination of your teeth, jaw, and bite. We’ll check out the impact of grinding on your teeth and discuss your habits and lifestyle that may be leading to grinding. One of the most successful treatments we perform is a custom mouth guard. A custom guard is made specifically to fit your mouth. This offers you the maximum in comfort and protection by resting a cushion between your upper and lower teeth when you are sleeping. A research article in the Journal of the American Dental Association revealed that oral appliances such as night guards have a high rate of efficacy in minimizing bruxism activity and accompanying symptoms.
Apart from oral appliances, we also offer other treatments that can alleviate pain and restore normal jaw function. These can range from medicinal therapy recommendations to injections to help relax your muscles and reduce inflammation. Our goal is to develop an overall treatment plan that not only treats the symptoms but also their causes.
Finding a cure for bruxism caused by stress is about doing more than protecting your teeth—it’s about improving your overall quality of life. Imagine waking up with no headache or pain in the jaw, ready to start the day. 5% to 12% of U.S. citizens dream of turning it into their reality.
If you believe you may be grinding your teeth, don’t wait until the issue becomes larger. Taking charge today can save you a whole lot of hurt and dental work down the line. Our team is here to listen to you and provide guidance without judgment. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for your stress-induced bruxism.