USA Today (4/7, Bowerman) reported that according to ADA spokesperson Dr. Maria Lopez Howell, waking up with headaches, a sore jaw, sensitive teeth, or finding fractures in teeth could be signs of bruxism, which may be attributed to stress, anxiety, and sleeping disorders. A recent study in The Journal of the American Dental Association also suggests that teeth grinding is associated with alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco use. Dr. Howell advises seeing a dentist to discuss possible solutions, which may include using a mouthguard at night to protect teeth. “Bruxism is a condition that needs to be treated by a dentist with a night guard or splint,” she said. “This actually involves the joint; we are protecting the joint and the teeth, and it needs to be done with experience and knowledge of that whole chewing complex.”
