Teeth Grinding: Not just a bad habit, but a dental concern

Perhaps you don't even know you grind your teeth. Maybe a spouse or loved one woke you up in the middle of the night and made you aware of what was happening.

For many people, teeth grinding is a habit and a mechanical reflex; when they’re awakened and informed they were grinding their teeth, they have no recollection of it at all. According to the American Dental Association, this is the nightly situation for roughly ten percent of Americans. From young children to the elderly, teeth grinding, known in the dental community as bruxism, is a serious concern.

Many people who grind their teeth in their sleep have no idea they're doing it. In fact, when they wake up in the morning they feel no jaw pain and their teeth are fine: if it hadn’t been for someone telling them about it, the teeth grinding would have gone unnoticed.

There are other people, however, who wake up with jaw pain, shoulder and neck pain, and headaches. Teeth grinding can cause a host of dental complications. From cracked teeth and receding gums to a misaligned jaw, teeth grinding is not something to take lightly.

Preventive measures are the key to combating bruxism, and a visit to Nicholas Tretter, DDS can set you on the path to a healthy and safe night sleep.

The Reasons for Teeth Grinding

There are many reasons for teeth grinding. For some people, it’s a habit they acquired when they were a child and never grew out of. On the other hand, some research claims that the condition is related to stress, anxiety, or some other type of psychiatric issue.

Still other studies point to everything from poor muscle control or over-eating before bed to gastro-esophageal issues. However, the root cause of the teeth grinding is less important than identifying preventive measures against it.

Common solutions to teeth grinding include:

  • Wearing a protective nightguard
  • Stress management techniques
  • Medications and muscle relaxers

When you make an appointment with the doctor at our Holden, Massachusetts office, we will assess your situation and determine what the best course of action is. Teeth grinding is a dental concern that can cause serious health issues down the road, so be sure to take preventive measures today.

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Monday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 AM-4:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

Thursday:

8:20 am-6:00 pm

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Testimonials

  • "Even though I was 30 minutes late for my appt , everyone was very kind. Danielle and Shay are delightful additions to a great team.!"
    Joyce D.
  • "As always my experience with Dr. Tretter and staff was very positive. Everyone is pleasant and friendly."
    Anonymous
  • "Always a very good experience with Dr. Tretter and his staff."
    Stephen P .
  • "I have always had a positive experience at Dr. Tretter’s office. The staff is consistently kind, courteous and professional. Dr. Tretter is a wonderful person and a phenomenal dentist. I highly recommend him!"
    Mary N.
  • "Dr. Tretter is the best dentist I've ever had. Every time I go to have work done, I feel relaxed because I know I am in good hands. I cannot imagine a more competent dentist. All the others on the staff are very professional and extremely pleasant. I know it's hard to believe, but I actually have fun whenever I visit the practice. Dr. Tretter keeps up with the latest dental technology. A crown is completed in one visit, about 2 hours long."
    Nancy Blodget
  • "I was again very impressed and pleased with my appointment this am. The professionalism,the super safe set up during the Corona times. Everyone in the office are caring, and on top of any potential issues..10 Stars !!!"
    Claudia Caffrey