Grinding teeth leads to a receding gum line and more....

Causes of teeth grinding and how to stop grinding teeth

Grinding or clenching teeth deprives you of a good night's sleep, harms your teeth and gums, and is common in adults, children, and babies.

Although teeth grinding in children is most often harmless, it is worrisome to hear a baby grinding teeth.

A dentist can determine if you are clenching or grinding your teeth at night. The signs of teeth grinding are subtle to you but very obvious to your dentist.

Ideally, upper and lower teeth should always be slightly apart....never held tighly together.

Even while eating, food keeps your teeth from touching.

Causes of teeth grinding

• Stress Stress is the biggest cause of clenching or grinding. Stress has a major impact on our health.
• Pain It's hard to relax when you have pain. Clenching your teeth is a common reaction to chronic pain.
• Teeth that don't fit together A bite that is slightly off or teeth that are crowded will cause grinding or clenching.

Even when the original reasons for clenching and grinding your teeth are gone the habit is already in place and many times continues to occur.

Because it almost always occurs during sleep, grinding teeth is very difficult to stop.

The damage

In the early stages, damage from clenching or grinding teeth in sleep can easily go unnoticed. Damage occurs gradually but constantly. Teeth grinding is a very destructive habit.

Here are some problems caused by clenching or grinding teeth:

• Receding gumline The constant pressure clenching and grinding place on your teeth causes your gums to recede. when gums recede, teeth are likely to be sensitive to cold air, cold drinks, or cold food. Receded gums take the fun out of eating ice cream and can be sensitive to brushing. Some receded gums require receding gums treatment If you can't brush without pain, you will be more likely to have symptoms of gum disease.
• Abfraction - Clenching teeth causes abfraction, the wearing away of enamel at your gum line. Abfraction looks and feels like a deep groove near your gum line. Abfracted teeth can be sensitive and may need to be restored with a filling. For those with receded gums or abfracted teeth an electric toothbrush helps prevent further damage.
• Wear on your teeth Grinding of teeth eventually wears the enamel off your teeth. Worn teeth look flat on the edges and chewing surfaces.

  The layer of tooth under enamel is called dentin. Because dentin is softer it decays easier than enamel. Worn down teeth are more prone to cavities. For severely worn teeth, Fluoride rinse is recommended to prevent tooth decay and decrease sensitivity.

Have you noticed that your "eye" teeth (the pointy ones) are longer and sharper than the others? Their job is to keep the other teeth from hitting and protect them from wear.

Because they are longer, eye teeth are the first to get worn down from grinding. Once they are flat the process continues on your molars and pre-molars.

• Headaches and neck aches - Your facial muscles are not relaxed when you clench or grind your teeth and you might get a headache or a neck ache. A teeth grinding guard often provides a good headache solution
• TMJ Teeth that are worn flat don't help this complicated joint stay in the proper position and could lead to TMJ disorders also known as TMD.
• Tired or sore jaws Jaw muscles might be sore, tired or feel tense all the time.

There are many reasons to stop but, it is easier said than done.

How can I stop day or night time teeth grinding?

For teeth grinding at night try this how to stop grinding teeth home remedy.

Teeth grinding protection

Be aware of the position your teeth are in while drifting off to sleep. Your upper and lower teeth should be slightly apart. Practice going to sleep in this position. Sleeping on your back will help your jaws stay in a relaxed position.

Protect your teeth and gums:

Some teeth grinders eventually wear right through their guards. Not ideal, but so much better than slowly grinding their teeth down to stumps.

The best and most comfortable night guards are custom made by a dentist. After taking impressions of your teeth, a perfectly fitted guard is made. The cost is higher than an OTC night guard.

Considering the damage from grinding teeth that a night guard prevents, it's worth investing in a comfortable one that you wont mind wearing every night.

Click here for help deciding which type of teeth grinding mouth guard is best for you

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