Do you have tenderness or pain in your jaw muscles? Have your teeth been worn down, fractured or chipped? If so, you may have bruxism. Bruxism is a condition in which you grind or clench your teeth and most of the time, you do it unknowingly. This can occur both during the day and while you sleep. Sleep bruxism is generally more severe and may also keep your bed partner awake because of the sound it makes.
Teeth clenching and grinding can be caused for a number of reasons, such as:
- Stress and anxiety
- Misaligned bite
- Crooked teeth
- Sleep disorder (sleep apnea)
If bruxism is not addressed, it can likely get worse and further damage your teeth. It can lead to:
- Enamel erosion, in which tooth enamel does not grow back
- Broken or cracked teeth
- Damage to any dental work
- Tooth sensitivity
- Tooth loss
Many people don’t realize that a dentist can help treat this issue. They might not know who to turn to for relief from their discomfort. During your regular exams, however, we will look for signs of teeth grinding and wear on your teeth. If you have the symptoms, we generally recommend you wear a night guard. This plastic oral appliance is made to keep your upper and lower back teeth from meeting, thus eliminating grinding. It will reduce your jaw pain and headaches as well as protect your teeth from further wear. While the night guard will not cure bruxism, it will help alleviate the symptoms.
If you are dealing with teeth grinding and clenching in Spotswood, NJ, please call our office to schedule an appointment. We are here to help relieve your bruxism symptoms and restore your oral health.
