Dispelling Five Myths About Bruxism
If you grind your teeth and you are just beginning to research treatments, you may have read or heard a number of myths about the condition of bruxism that are either partially true or completely incorrect. Here’s a quick rundown of common misconceptions!
Only adults suffer from bruxism. – This one is absolutely untrue, and in fact many people’s first experience with bruxism occurs during childhood. Children tend to begin grinding their teeth as their teeth are first coming in, and while it is true that in some children their grinding will stop afterward this isn’t always the case. If your child continues to grind their teeth as their adult teeth come in, consult their dentist for the best treatment particularly if they are grinding at night. (Dental guards are harder to fit for children, whose teeth are constantly shifting, but speak to their dentist about using one if it is appropriate.)
Bruxism goes hand in hand with chronic headaches or joint pain. – To a certain extent, this one can be true for some patients…. but not all. While it is fairly common for those with bruxism to also experience some form of pain in the head and neck region, studies show that those who do are typically around 60%. Many grinders may do so on a consistent basis without any associated headaches, jaw pain or other conditions; when this is the case, it doesn’t mean that the grinding isn’t still causing significant damage to your teeth.
It is not a serious health concern if you grind your teeth. – As we noted above, just because you aren’t experiencing associated pain that is driving you toward seeking treatment for bruxism, it doesn’t mean that the condition can’t cause serious health issues. Cracked and damaged teeth will eventually lead to dental work, and can open the door to bacterial infections and a number of other issues that can be avoided by using dental guards to treat the condition early.
Over time, bruxism will go away on its own. – Yes, we did just note that it’s not uncommon for children to only grind periodically as their teeth come in. Adult bruxers, on the other hand, typically experience the condition chronically for years unless they seek some form or treatment, or incorporate stress-relievers and other forms of supplementary treatment to reduce the conditions that exacerbate grinding in their daily lives.
There is no specific treatment for grinding your teeth. – This one requires acknowledging that for every patient, the conditions of their bruxism may be different than others and the stress factors and associated health issues of each person may require different methods of treatment. What a majority of dentists agree on, however, is that wearing a dental guard is a first step for most associated symptoms of bruxism, and along with other decisions targeted toward better overall oral health, it inevitably can only protect and strengthen your teeth if practiced regularly.
Being sure to read up on these topics and know the details of your own dental health, with regular visits to your dentist as well as a regimen of brushing, flossing, and using your night guard, is your best course of action... and ClearClub can help make it more affordable. ClearClub's custom-fit, low-cost night guards will help protect your teeth from grinding and clenching, and start as low as $80-$95 for your first guard. Plus, they are shipped directly to your door! Your teeth will thank you.
Have questions? Our customer support team can help, or you can check out our FAQ for more information.