Local 4 Dr. Frank McGeorge reported on a problem that causes a tremendous number of people to suffer from headaches, jaw pain or sensitive teeth.

The symptoms are often caused by patients unknowingly grinding their teeth or clenching their jaw, especially at night. The condition is called bruxism.

Dr. Rohit Arora of Livonia Dental Care explained bruxism is often related to stress.

"Patients who are in a high-stress job, high-stress at home, very anxious-type personalities, we see more grinding with those types of patients," said Arora.

Left untreated, grinding can cause tooth damage, headaches, sensitive teeth, earaches, and jaw, face or neck pain.

Arora warned the damage can be severe. He said, "Patients come in with enamel worn off their teeth, chipped crowns, broken teeth, complaining of sensitivity."

To find out if you grind your teeth in your sleep, ask your spouse or have your dentist check for signs of wear and tear.

Arora explained the solution for grinding can be as simple as a bite splint or mouth guard. The custom devices fit tightly on the teeth, reducing pressure, and are designed to be worn while you sleep.

There is also a newer option called a NTI-tss. It's a much smaller bite splint that only covers the front teeth.

These custom mouth guards can cost hundreds of dollars, but many dental insurance plans will cover part of the cost.

To learn more about bruxism, click here.

To visit Livonia Dental Care's Web site, click here.