Headaches and Tooth Grinding
Headaches can occur for many reasons. However, waking up with a headache in the morning may be a result of grinding of the teeth during sleep.
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, may be caused by a variety of issues. Stress, dental problems, or sleep issues may lead to grinding of the teeth during sleep. One of the problems with night time bruxism is that individuals are typically unaware of the issue until other symptoms develop, such as jaw pain and stiffness, soreness in the mouth, or headaches.
Teeth grinding can lead to more serious oral health problems if left untreated. The grinding not only wears away the enamel where the teeth meet, but the continued pressure and force of biting and grating teeth can result in small cracks in the teeth called stress fractures. Sugars, acids, and bacteria can then enter these tiny cracks to cause the teeth to erode from the inside.
It is important to schedule regular dental exams to check for issues including bruxism. Dental x-rays can show the effects of teeth grinding and allow our dentist to make proper treatment recommendations. Our dentist can recommend an appropriate mouth guard to wear at night to prevent damage to the teeth. It is also important to reduce stress to prevent nightly teeth grinding.
If you suffer from bruxism or are experiencing morning headaches, our dentist in Los Angeles can help determine if teeth grinding is an issue and help develop a treatment plan to meet your needs.