Bruxism
Teeth grinding, or bruxism refers to excessive grinding of the teeth and/or excessive clenching of the jaw, usually occurring when one sleeps. If you wake up with jaw pain, tension headaches, or facial pain, you may be suffering from bruxism. Some people aren’t even aware they are grinding or clenching their teeth at night until a visit to us reveals significant tooth enamel loss or damage to restorations.
Tension, stress, and anxiety experienced during the daytime can carry over to an individual’s sleep and lead the person to grind his or her teeth together or clench the teeth unknowingly. Regardless of the cause, however, frequent clenching and grinding wear down the chewing surfaces of the teeth, reduce tooth enamel, and can result in a cracked or chipped tooth, crown, or filling.
Treatment Options
Fortunately, there is a non-invasive and effective solution for teeth grinding and the tooth enamel damage it can cause in custom-fabricated nightguards. Nightguards are created through a non-invasive process that includes taking an impression of the bottom and top rows of teeth. The result is a flexible, comfortable nightguard and personalized to your mouth.
Although it’s important to faithfully wear your nightguard if you grind your teeth at night, you can also follow a few self-care tips to help prevent your teeth grinding from worsening.
- Reduce tension and stress. Whether you take a warm bath before bed, listen to soothing music, or exercise, practicing stress-relieving activities can help alleviate stress and tension.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine. In some patients, alcohol and caffeine can increase teeth-grinding tendencies.
- Focus on relaxing jaw muscles. Make a conscious effort to keep your jaw relaxed. A warm washcloth against your cheek, sticking your tongue between your teeth, and avoiding chewing pencils, pens, and gum are all ways to train your jaw muscles to stay relaxed. Remember: lips together, teeth apart!
Because you may have bruxism and be unaware of it until complications develop, it's essential to know its signs and symptoms and seek regular dental care. If you suspect that bruxism is the cause of your headaches or jaw pain, don't hesitate to get in touch with our office and schedule an appointment.
