At Federici Dental, we're proud to offer comprehensive dental treatment to patients of all ages in the greater Manahawkin, NJ area. We treat a wide range of dental problems and conditions, but for our adult patients, one of the most common problems we come across is bruxism or chronic grinding of the teeth. Bruxism affects roughly 40 million Americans, and to help you understand this perplexing condition, we wanted to dive into some of the most common causes of teeth grinding.
The Most Common Causes of Bruxism
Bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, most often occurs at night during sleep – which means it's largely unconscious. So why would our bodies do something that's so patently harmful to our teeth and our health? The answer is different for every patient, but here are the most common causes of bruxism:
- Stress and Anxiety: Chronic bruxism, especially in adults, is often caused by chronic stress and anxiety. These both increase tension in the body and may contribute to nightly grinding.
- Orthodontic Problems: Another common cause of bruxism is a malocclusion or orthodontic problem. Orthodontic issues may prevent the teeth from fitting together correctly, which may lead to grinding at night.
- Sleep Apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA, is also a contributing factor to teeth grinding.
- Alcohol & Caffeine: Stimulants like caffeine can contribute to grinding, and teeth grinding usually intensifies after alcohol consumption.
Schedule an Appointment with Your Manahawkin Dentist
Left untreated, chronic bruxism can contribute to uneven tooth wear, dental decay, and jaw pain, but as your Manahawkin dentist, there's plenty we can do to help. If you think you may suffer from teeth grinding, use our easy online form to request a free consultation at our office. We'll help diagnose the cause of your teeth grinding and recommend exercises and treatments that can help alleviate it. We look forward to hearing from you!