No matter how good you are to your teeth all day, there’s a condition that could be harming your teeth: teeth grinding. It affects more than 6 million people in the UK. You may not have any idea that you’re doing it, but once you know the symptoms, you might be surprised.
Grinding your teeth can have pretty subtle symptoms. Most people simply notice that they wake up stressed with a sore, painful jaw. They also often report having headaches. And because these symptoms can often go overlooked, the nightly grinding continues and lots of unseen damage is done to your teeth.
Teeth grinding (also known as bruxism) is just another way our bodies react to stress, but if left unchecked, it can lead to tooth sensitivity, which can be painful. The damage happens over time: grinding wears away the tooth enamel which can cause dentine exposure. This can result in tooth sensitivity.
Don’t let one problem lead to another. If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth, visit your dentist so he or she can check for signs. This should help both you and your teeth get a good night’s sleep.
