As many as 90% of us grind our teeth at night. Not everyone shows dental deterioration right away. The bite force is so strong (over 200 pounds per square inch), and the noise so fearful, you cannot physically duplicate this phenomenon when you're awake. While you're sleeping a lot of damage is being done.
Bruxing (grinding your teeth) seems to be associated with the REM stage of sleep, when dreaming and rapid eye movement occur. There is some evidence that a bite out of alignment contributes to bruxing, but most agree stress is the problem.
Most people learn about a bruxing habit from the spouse who has to put up with the noise. More clues: waking up in the morning with sore jaw joints or muscle fatigue, and loose teeth.
Come see us for an evaluation. Our practice can relieve the damages of bruxism with a custom dental appliance. We can also recommend physical therapy, and sometimes muscle relaxants. The best solution, and the most difficult sometimes, is learning how to eliminate or handle the stress in your life.
