Davis and Davis Orthodontics wants to know: are there teeth grinders in your house?

Grind, grind, grind. If you live with a teeth grinder, this unpleasant sound may be all too familiar, especially recently. A recent study by Head & Face Medicine suggests that people often cope with stress by grinding their teeth. In addition, the Chicago Dental Society suggests that since the recession began, teeth grinding, or bruxism, is on the rise.

The Chicago Dental Society surveyed more than 250 members about the connection between stress and oral health. Nearly 75 percent of dentists said their patients reported increased stress over the past year, largely due to the economic recession. During stressful times, teeth grinding can be a nuisance that causes headaches and sleep problems, but it also can cause lasting problems for your teeth and gums, including chipped teeth, worn enamel, chronic pain, or even TMJ, a painful jaw disorder.

The first step of recovering from teeth grinding is noticing the problem, says Drs. Dale and Lisa Davis. Symptoms of teeth grinding include:

• Sensitivity in the teeth
• Tightness or pain in the jaw
• Dull headaches, earaches, or facial pain
• Chipped, worn down, or loose teeth

An important thing to remember is that people frequently grind their teeth in response to stress, and taking measures to reduce or eliminate stress can help solve the problem. If the teeth-grinder in your house can’t stop, schedule an appointment to see us by giving us a call. Drs. Dale and Lisa Davis and our team at Davis and Davis Orthodontics can help determine the cause of the problem.