Introduction:-
Are you grinding your teeth? This can be a disorder that needs a doctor’s attention. From a medical standpoint, teeth grinding is termed as Bruxism. It is a process that involves grinding and clenching the jaw. It is an involuntary movement of the jaw and a habitual practice. Bruxism, when involuntarily done at night, is termed “sleep bruxism.” This disorder is known to cause dental damage but does not have a direct impact on an individual’s aesthetics. But they are more likely to incur pain among the patients. Well, if you are facing a similar condition and want to inquire, “How long does teeth grinding pain last?” then you have landed on the right page. This blog will be your one-stop solution to all your queries.
How long does the grinding tooth pain last?
When it comes to defining the duration of the pain, it is not a direct answer as it is dependent on many factors. The dentists are more concerned with treating and finding the type of pain than focusing on the duration of the pain.
The duration of teeth grinding pain can vary based on a number of factors, including the severity of the grinding, the underlying cause of the bruxism, and individual pain tolerance.
The duration of teeth grinding pain can be influenced by several factors, including:
1) Severity of the condition: The severity of teeth grinding can affect the duration of pain. Individuals with mild bruxism may experience occasional pain that lasts for a few hours, while those with severe bruxism may experience pain that persists for weeks or months.
2) Frequency of teeth grinding: Frequent teeth grinding can cause prolonged pain as the muscles and tissues are repeatedly strained and fatigued.
3) Dental health: Individuals with pre-existing dental conditions, such as tooth decay or gum disease, may experience prolonged pain due to the additional strain caused by teeth grinding.
4) Stress levels: Teeth grinding can be triggered by stress and anxiety, so individuals who experience high levels of stress may be more likely to grind their teeth and experience pain for longer periods of time.
5) Treatment: The duration of teeth grinding pain can be influenced by the effectiveness of treatment. Individuals who receive timely and effective treatment, such as wearing a nightguard or engaging in stress reduction techniques, may experience shorter periods of pain.
It is important to address teeth grinding and associated pain as soon as possible to prevent long-term damage to the teeth and jaw.
In most cases, teeth grinding discomfort is only temporary and should go away within a *few days*. However, if the grinding is severe or is the result of an underlying dental or medical condition, the pain may last longer.
If you are having teeth grinding discomfort that lasts more than a few days, you should see a dentist or healthcare specialist. They can assist in determining the underlying reason and providing suitable therapy to ease discomfort and prevent additional tooth damage.
What are the causes of tooth grinding?
Now before diving into the duration of the pain, let us first decode the factors that might be responsible for the bruxism:
1) Medication:
Side effects of medicines can result in bruxism, the use of recreational drugs, and the use of anti-depressants. These medicines have a direct effect on the dopamine levels of our body and are hence responsible for bruxism.
2) Genetics:
Genetics plays a vital role in many disorders, and similarly, when it comes to dental disorders, genetics has its fair share. Bruxism and similar disorders are genetically transferred from generation to generation.
3) Stress:
One of the major contributors to bruxism is stress and subsequent anxiety. It is seen that during phases of stress, anxiety, and panic, individuals involuntarily start grinding their teeth and clenching their jaws.
What type of pain are you experiencing?
It is important to keep note of what pain is being caused, which will help us determine the duration as well.
1) Facial Pain:
As an individual repeats the process of grinding the teeth and clenching the jaw, over a period of time, you can see that the facial muscles associated with it are swelling and experiencing soreness. There have been cases where patients with bruxism have had a shift in the facial structure due to the continuous movement.
2) Jaw pain:
Jaw pain can be incurred due to the force that the teeth apply to the teeth. Due to this, the muscles become sore and can cause excruciating pain. Movement of the jaw can be restricted and cause great agony to the individual.
3) Earaches:
The Jaw and the War Canal are very close to each other. As they are close, the pressure applied is later transmitted to the ear. This causes earaches.
4) Toothache:
The outermost and strongest part of our body is the enamel. Now the enamel protects our teeth from extra sensitivity. The grinding of the teeth causes the enamel to wear off over time, leaving the teeth sensitive. It also results in damaged teeth and tooth loss.
5) Headaches:
It is commonly observed that one who is suffering from bruxism is also accustomed to regular headaches and migraines. The headaches are observed mainly in the morning.
What Is The Treatment For For Grinding Pain?
Taking adequate treatment for the pain is of utmost importance when it comes to grinding teeth pain. By taking treatment, one can move in the direction of relieving their pain, and within a few weeks, one can see results.
Below, we have listed a few treatment options.
1) Night Guards:
These are widely used among patients and have shown good results in relieving the pain in cases of bruxism. These are custom-made by trained professionals by using moulds and taking imprints of one’s teeth. The guard is designed in such a way that the jaw is relaxed. Once the patients wear the night guards, there is a slight gap between the two jaws. This helps keep the teeth grinding and hampers the teeth’s life even more.
2) Stress management:
Stress can be an integral part of the reason for bruxism. But stress can be controlled and limited by treating it. Stress can be managed by visiting a therapist. The therapist will guide the patient towards a better lifestyle and help get to the root cause of the stress, thus even reducing the grinding pain.
3) Botox injections:
By numbing the jaw that is responsible for bruxism. One can totally avoid grinding their teeth. By doing this, one can avoid clenching for around six months. The whole idea behind it is to allow the body to rest and give it a chance to heal.
4) Vitamin deficiency:
Deficiencies in vitamins and especially magnesium are shown to be responsible for causing bruxism.
Maintaining a proper diet and taking vitamin supplements can help in the curing of the disorder.
Conclusion:-
In conclusion, we hope that this blog has helped to solve any questions that you have regarding the teeth-grinding pain.
The pain duration, though, has many factors governing it, and it is great to have treatment options ready to tackle it.
The post How Long Does Teeth Grinding Pain Last: A Complete Guide appeared first on Healtholine.
