Bruxism is a condition in which people clench or grind their teeth without realizing it, either during the day or while they sleep.
Many people who have bruxism don’t know they have it and exhibit no signs or symptoms. Others have severe bruxism that causes interference with daily activities like eating and speaking.
Many of these symptoms, such as headaches or facial pain, could be symptoms of other health conditions. It’s important to consult a San Francisco dentist with extensive experience treating bruxism if you experience one or more of the above symptoms.
Bruxism can be caused by anxiety, stress, and in some cases, it may simply be a personality trait. People experiencing high levels of ongoing mental or emotional stress are more likely to develop bruxism, as are individuals with certain types of mental health conditions.
There is some evidence that suggests bruxism may be caused by an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. Bruxism can also be caused by some medications or illicit drugs, such as antidepressants or amphetamines.
Although bruxism can be diagnosed by traditional medical providers, a dental professional is better suited to check your teeth for indications of bruxism, such as chipped teeth or tongue indentations during a routine dental checkup.
If you’re diagnosed with bruxism, your San Francisco dentist will recommend a treatment plan and will monitor your condition and progress over the following several visits.
There are multiple different treatment options for bruxism or teeth grinding. Which solution is best for you largely depends on factors like your overall oral health and the cause of your bruxism, among others.
If you regularly clench or grind your teeth, you may benefit from treatments like:
Patients with mild to moderate bruxism caused by anxiety or stress may find relief from simple lifestyle changes. For example, reducing anxiety with deep breathing, healthy eating, and exercise can also improve bruxism symptoms.
There are several different types of mouthguard devices that can be worn at night to prevent teeth grinding:
Some medications may help relieve anxiety or aid in the regulation of neurotransmitters, both of which can help to reduce symptoms of bruxism.
If antidepressants are proven to be the cause of teeth grinding, it may be necessary to switch medications. Whether or not medication is recommended to treat teeth clenching depends largely on the cause of a person’s bruxism and whether or not they have underlying health conditions that may be contributory.
Most often, more than one approach is used to treat bruxism. For example, you may need treatment with both medication and a DNA appliance to reduce the frequency or severity of your teeth grinding. Or, you may have a severe enough case to warrant all three interventions.
If you’re experiencing teeth grinding or clenching during the day or night, don’t wait to reach out to a veteran dentist in San Francisco to book an appointment. At Green Dentistry, we’re committed to providing comfortable, attentive care to each of our patients and will work to find solutions that best fit your unique needs.
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Dr. Nammy Patel and her team at Green Dentistry in Downtown San Francisco, California, provide quality dentistry with a holistic approach. They offer their patients exceptional care and service in cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign treatment, laser dentistry, sleep apnea treatment, general holistic dentistry and so much more. They even offer sedation dentistry to their patients. They serve patients throughout the Bay Area. SF Green Dentist is in walking distance from Downtown, the Financial District and zip codes 94108, 94109, 94103, 94104 and 94133.
