What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of your teeth while you are asleep. It's is not just an annoyance; it exerts thousands of pounds of pressure on the biting surfaces of the teeth, which can lead to jaw pain and damage to your teeth, as well as to t he surrounding bone, gums, and jaw joint. Left untreated, bruxism can cause:
• Jaw pain, earaches and headaches
• Fractured or chipped teeth or fillings
• Loosened teeth
• Damage to the bone that surrounds your teeth
• Damage to the jaw joint (the TMJ)
• Tooth sensitivity, as the enamel layer is worn down, exposing the more sensitive dentin layer
• Excessive wear, as teeth become "ground down"
What causes bruxism? How is it treated?
There are many causes of bruxism. Grinding and clenching your teeth can be a response to stress. There are a variety of stress-reducing techniques that may be helpful, or we might recommend medication to temporarily reduce stress or relieve pain and s oreness. A bad bite (called malocclusion), spaces between teeth, or worn teeth may also cause you to clench and grind your teeth. Braces, crowns, bridges or other dental restorations can restore your bite and eliminate the clench-and-grind pattern.
We may also recommend that you use a nightguard, a plastic device worn at night that fits over either your bottom or your top teeth. It helps eliminate the irregularities of a bad bite, and protects your teeth from the damage caused by grinding.
Nightguards are custom-created to fit your teeth. First, we make an impression of your teeth. Then, models are made from the impressions; and nightguard is created. At your next appointment, you will try on your nightguard, and we'll adjust it for a p recise fit.
Without treatment, the constant clenching and grinding of your teeth can cause widespread damage in your mouth. Dealing with the problem early can restore harmony and prevent many future problems and expenses.
