You spent the night carefully planning your very busy day and are ready to go before you go to bed. You wake up to the alarm the next morning and groan with that nagging headache and sore jaws. “Oh, no! Not AGAIN! Not TODAY!” You know you won’t be as productive and this adds even more stress to your day.
That heading and jaw pain could be a symptom of nighttime teeth grinding. But try not to stress yourself too much—stress can actually aggravate your bruxism (teeth grinding). Dr. James Kalina, your thorough dental professional, is here to help you better understand what may be causing your teeth grinding in Mankato. He can offer solutions to relieve the symptoms of teeth grinding – head, mouth, and jaw pain.
Understanding Why Your Teeth Grind Uncontrollably
There are many underlying factors that may be causing you to grind your teeth at night. Just like how you consciously decide to combat stress mentally—whether that be by venting to a friend or casually having a glass of wine at night—your body deals with stress in various ways. Most conclusions point to psychological factors that trigger your central nervous system, although some may be because of physical issues like obstructive sleep apnea. Some underlying causes of teeth grinding may be:
- Emotions—anxiety, stress, anger, frustration, or tension.
- Personality type—competitive, hyperactive, or aggressive.
- Misalignment of your jaws.
- Obstructive sleep apnea.
- Your body’s natural response to pain like an earache.
- Side effects of various medications like antidepressants.
- Coping strategy for a focusing habit.
- The result of a disorder like Huntington’s or Parkinson’s disease.
The Symptoms of a Subconscious Habit
The signs of teeth grinding are subtle, but the damage will show over time. If you experience any of these symptoms, please reach out to Dr. Kalina for your bruxism in Mankato.
- Damage to your teeth, restorations, or jaw.
- Tension-caused headaches.
- Soreness in your face and jaws.
- Symptoms of TMJ disorder—jaws clicking and/or popping when you open and close your mouth.
We Offer Various Forms of Therapy for Bruxism
Many patients wonder how they’re supposed to stop a habit they do subconsciously. Thankfully, your helpful dentist is here to provide the professional support that you need for your teeth grinding habit. Dr. Kalina can provide a custom orthotic appliance, informally known as a nightguard or splint for patients that cannot sleep soundly or experience jaw pain when they get up in the morning. This can provide your jaws the cushion they really need to protect your teeth from damage, erosion, or deterioration. Over time, patients find that they’re symptoms are significantly reduced by our orthotic devices and their teeth grinding episodes occur less often with less intensity—especially if they combine our focused facial relaxation and stress management strategies. Ask us about our alternative forms of bruxism therapy!
Contact Our Mankato Office!
With so much going on in your day to day life, the last thing you need to think about is jaw pain or chronic headaches. Do you still have questions about how Dr. Kalina can help you relieve your bruxism symptoms? Contact our office today to schedule a consultation where our team can address any of your concerns!
