SYMPTOMS OF BRUXISM

• Tight, tired, or locked jaw
• Jaw, neck, ear, and facial pain
• Headaches
• Sleep disruption
• Loud grinding or clenching
• Flattened, chipped, fractured, or damaged teeth
• Worn enamel
• Damage to your cheeks from chewing
• Tooth pain and sensitivity

MORE ABOUT BRUXISM

People can clench and grind their teeth during the day or while they are sleeping, meaning that teeth grinding can be diagnosed as either awake bruxism or sleep bruxism. Since people who grind their teeth in their sleep may not know that they are grinding or clenching their teeth, it is important to be aware of the symptoms.

Causes of Teeth Grinding

Sleep Bruxism

• Sleep grinding may be coupled with sleeping disorders such as snoring and sleep apnea.

Awake Bruxism

• Awake grinding can be a coping mechanism used to handle stress, anger, tension and anxiety. It may also be a habit associated with concentration.

Other Forms:

• Excessive teeth grinding and clenching may also be associated with medical conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.

Associated Risks of Teeth Grinding

Bruxism can cause severe side effects to your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and to your teeth. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your dentist at Restorative and Implant Dentistry. We will work closely with you to determine the severity of your teeth grinding and develop a comprehensive personalized treatment plan based on the causes, type of bruxism, and damage that has already occurred. We understand how painful the side effects from teeth grinding can be, and it is our goal to alleviate your pain while tending to the health of your teeth and joints.

How Can I Stop Teeth Grinding?

Being fitted for an occlusal or night guard will help to protect your teeth from the effects of grinding while you sleep. However, in order to cease teeth grinding completely, it is important to treat the triggers for why you grind your teeth.

If stress is causing your bruxism, ask Dr. Alan Slootsky, DMD, MAGD, FACD about stress reduction techniques and options. Exercise, stress counseling, or prescription muscle relaxers may help reduce how often or severely you grind your teeth.