Tooth Clenching
Has Dr. Erik Mendelsohn ever asked you if you grind or clench your teeth? You’re pretty sure that you don’t, yet somehow he is almost positive that you do. So how can this be? It’s not like you wouldn’t notice if you were grinding your teeth hard enough to wear on them or even break them, right?
EHT Dentist Explains Bruxism, an unconscious grinding of the teeth while sleeping.
It is hypothesized that Bruxism is related to or caused by stress, diet, sleeping habits, and even the use of alcohol or other drugs. Bruxism is “centrally mediated” which means that the activity starts in and is completely controlled by the autonomic nervous system. This is the part of the brain and spinal cord that controls the automatic things that your body does like breathing, digesting, heart rate, and other nervous system functions that you don’t have to actively think about. Much like breathing and your heartbeat, you can’t decide to stop doing it. Furthermore, it probably won’t wake you up. It could wake your wife, husband, or dog, but you’ll probably sleep right through it!
Bruxism exercises your chewing muscles while you sleep. Think of it like sleepwalking (or running!) on a treadmill. The activity of nighttime grinding can actually cause your chewing muscles to hypertrophy or become larger. The tooth grinding that you do at nighttime is actually much stronger than any chewing or grinding you can do consciously when you’re awake. Once you fall asleep, you can grind real hard!
EHT Severe Tooth Clenching Patient Case
Some people have significant tooth wear and even tooth breakage because of their nighttime tooth grinding. People who have an acid problem due to gastric reflux or diet can speed up the wear of their teeth even more when they grind their teeth at night. Many people who have been grinding their teeth throughout their lifetime can have significantly shortened front teeth and worn or broken back teeth by the time they reach their 40’s or 50’s
Some people have significant tooth wear and even tooth breakage because of their nighttime tooth grinding. People who have an acid problem due to gastric reflux or diet can speed up the wear of their teeth even more when they grind their teeth at night. Many people who have been grinding their teeth throughout their lifetime can have significantly shortened front teeth and worn or broken back teeth by the time they reach their 40’s or 50’s.
There is no way to cure Bruxism, but if you’re one who grinds your teeth hard at night, you might want to consider having Dr. Erik Mendelsohn fit you for a protective appliance at night time. An appliance like this won’t stop your tooth grinding, but it can protect your teeth from damage and potentially help you grind your teeth with less intensity.
Have You Been Clenching Your Jaw?
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