Signs You Are Grinding Your Teeth

Stress can manifest in surprising ways. With 2020 being the most stressful year in modern history, many people have battled the side effects of stress on different areas of their life. Mood swings, hair loss, and tension headaches have been repeated complaints among millions of Americans this year. Many people have also been diagnosed with bruxism, also known as teeth grinding.

According to the CDC, dentists across the Nation are seeing an extreme rise in oral health symptoms directly related to teeth grinding. Stress, anxiety, depression, and mental illness can all be correlated to an increase in grinding and clenching the teeth. With the enormous amount of pressure that this condition puts on the teeth, gums, and jaw, severe dental damage can occur.

It is important to know the signs and symptoms of teeth grinding so that you can get preventative care before irreversible damage is done to your smile.

Signs you are grinding your teeth –

• Waking up with headaches multiple times a week
• Tense facial and jaw muscles
• Sore or painful jaw
• A popping or clicking sound in your temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
• Locking of your jaw
• Overly sensitive teeth
• Worn teeth
• Damage to the inside of your cheek
• Flat, smooth areas created on the biting surfaces of the teeth

It is easy to dismiss some of these signs of teeth grinding as something else. Stress often causes headaches and muscle tightness, so it is easy to miss these signs. However, if you notice any changes to the structure or appearance of your teeth, it is vital that you visit your dentist for an evaluation. This is not an issue that you want to ignore because teeth grinding can cause extensive damage to your smile.

At ConfiDenT, we care about all aspects of your oral health. If you have any of the signs that you are grinding your teeth, please call our office today to schedule an appointment.