Have you ever found yourself with a headache and a sore jaw and have no idea why? Many people are unaware that they grind their teeth. Most people do it while they are sleeping, but some people even do it during the day.

Grinding or clenching your teeth, a condition called bruxism, is more common than people realize. Statistics show that approximately one out of four dental patients have bruxism, according to Advanced Dental Care. Sometimes bruxism can be caused by stress and anxiety or problems sleeping. More often, though, it is caused by an abnormal bite or crooked or missing teeth.

There are some things to watch for if you suspect that you are grinding your teeth. If you wake up in the morning with a headache, earache, or toothache, you might be grinding your teeth while you sleep. You can also experience sore facial muscles and tender jaw joints.

Beyond causing discomfort, grinding can eventually damage dental restorations and possibly loosen teeth. It can also cause damage to the temporomandibular joints. Temporomandibular joints are the joints located on each side of your mouth and connect the lower jaw to the skull, according to the American Dental Association. The pressure from clenching and grinding can also cause cracks or fractures in the teeth. As tooth enamel gets worn away, dentin may be exposed, and teeth can become sensitive to temperature changes and pressure.

According to WebMD, severe grinding can result in the loss of teeth, affect your jaws, cause hearing loss, cause or worsen TMD/TMJ (Temporomandibular disorders), and even alter the appearance of your face.

If you think that you have bruxism, visit your dental practitioner immediately. Your dentist can provide you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth from grinding while you sleep.

Sources: American Dental Association (http://www.ada.org), WebMD (http://www.webmd.com), Advanced Dental Care (http://www.advanced-dental-care.com)

Things you can do to stop teeth grinding

• Cut back or avoid caffeinated food and beverages
• Avoid alcohol
• Don’t chew on anything that is not food, including pens, pencils, or even gum
• Put your tongue between your teeth, or consciously keep your mouth slightly open
• Give your jaw muscles a massage, or hold a warm washcloth against your cheek at night

Source: WebMD