Teeth Grinding, Clenching & Bruxism
February 27, 2020 1:20 pm |There is a good chance you have heard someone mention the term ‘bruxism’ and discuss the problems it can cause for your oral health. At the office, we talk about a lot of technical dental stuff that doesn’t necessarily concern our patients, but bruxism is something we definitely want you to know about. Stress and bruxism go hand in hand, and Vista Ridge Family Dentistry is going to tell you exactly what that means and how it affects your health. Alright, we know you are on the edge of your seat! What is bruxism and why does it concern you? Well, how often do you find yourself clenching your jaw or notice others doing just that? Bruxism is a common condition characterized by jaw clenching and the grinding of teeth. It is perfectly normal to clench your jaw and grind your teeth from time to time, but it can be very damaging if it gets to be a regular habit. The biggest issue with bruxism is that people are rarely aware that they suffer from this condition, and left unchecked, it can cause a number of painful and inconvenient side effects. Have you or a loved one suffered from any of the following symptoms?
- Your teeth have become chipped, broken, flattened or worn down
- You have experienced pain, fatigue, or tightness in your jaw
- You have frequent earaches
- You have frequent headaches
- Your teeth have become noticeably more sensitive
- Your tongue has odd indentations
- The insides of your cheeks are damaged from chewing
- Your loved ones and/or sleeping partner notice that you frequently grind your teeth while you are sleeping.
- An abnormal bite
- Missing teeth
- Crooked or improperly aligned teeth
- Recent dental (including cosmetic) work
- Recent orthodontic work
- Chronic headaches
- Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD, i.e. jaw problems)
- Damage to crowns, implants, bridges, and dentures
- Chipped, broken, or worn-down teeth
- Chronic pain in mouth, jaw, or head
Tags: teeth grinding
Categorised in: Blog