HEALTH

I grind my teeth in my sleep. It keeps my sister up at night, but I can’t help it. Plus, I wake up with really painful headaches.

So, you’re a bruxer. That’s the medical term for teeth-grinder. Grinding can cause serious probs—broken or cracked teeth, gum problems, tooth sensitivity and even loose teeth. Plus, facial muscle spasms and tension headaches can result from clenching back teeth (grinders squeeze their back teeth 14 times harder than non-grinders).

So, why do you grind? “Grinding starts when your bite is not in harmony. If your teeth don’t perfectly fit in your mouth, the lower jaw moves more to compensate by clenching and biting,” says dentist Dr. Chris Kammer of the Center for Cosmetic Dentistry in Madison, Wis. Some bruxers aren’t aware that they grind, but dentists can detect the wearing down of teeth. Dr. Kammer recommends an NTI appliance—a front teeth splint—to keep your teeth from grinding. Check with your dentist to see if she is familiar with this treatment.

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by GL | 2/1/2016