Sleep disorders cause all sorts of problems, and they are more common than most people realize. Dr. Jennifer J. Cornell, DDS, at Dental Sleep and TMJ Solutions of Clarksville has answers to some of your questions about conditions that prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep.
Question: I grind my teeth at night so hard I chipped a tooth. Should I be worried?
Answer: Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can definitely cause dental problems like chipped or worn teeth, jaw pain, and headaches. Bruxism can have several causes, and often it’s a combination of factors. Here are some common ones:
- Stress and Anxiety: Many people grind their teeth as a response to stress or anxiety. It might be a subconscious way of dealing with tension or frustration.
- Sleep Disorders: Conditions like sleep apnea or other sleep disturbances can contribute to bruxism. Sometimes grinding can be linked to the quality of sleep.
- Misaligned Teeth or Bite Issues: If your teeth are misaligned or your bite is off, it can cause grinding as your body tries to correct the alignment.
- Medications: Some medications, especially certain antidepressants, can have side effects that include bruxism.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use can contribute to teeth grinding.
- Genetics: There may be a genetic component, as bruxism can sometimes run in families.
- Medical Conditions: Certain conditions like Parkinson’s disease or Huntington’s disease can be associated with bruxism.
Bruxism can not only chip or break teeth over time but it can also cause trauma and inflammation to your jaw joints. Bruxism is most likely the number one cause of TMJ disorders. Buying a traditional night guard from the drug store or having your general dentist fabricate a custom traditional night guard works great at protecting your teeth from banging together but very little to help stop the grinding. Not to mention the muscle pain and headaches that can occur with aggressive chronic bruxism…