Do you sometimes wake with a dull headache or a sore jaw? Do you ever find yourself clenching your teeth? Until you experience pain or have a dental checkup, you may not know that you have a condition called “bruxism,” a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth.
Many people are unaware that they grind their teeth because they do it while they are asleep. Bruxism often occurs in the early part of the night and can disturb sleep partners. The clenching and grinding can disturb sleep partners. The noise may be quite audible. Others make no sound while bruxing their teeth and do not realize they are doing it all until the dentist discovers unusual wear spots or fractures in their teeth. Bruxism can be mild and occasional or aggressive and frequent.
People who grind or clench their teeth may wake with a headache, earache or a toothache. Their facial muscles may be sore and the jaw joints tender to the touch. Besides causing discomfort, grinding can eventually damage dental restorations and may loosen teeth. Bruxism can also cause damage to the temporomandibular joints, the joints on each side of the mouth that connect the lower jaw to the skull. The pressure from the clenching and grinding can cause cracks or fractures in the teeth. As tooth enamel is worn, the underlying layer of the tooth can be exposed. This can cause the teeth to become sensitive to temperature and pressure changes.
Bruxism can develop at any age. Pain or discomfort from colds, ear infections, allergies and other ailments may cause children to grind their teeth.
Although the causes of bruxism are not really known, several factors may be involved. Stressful situations, problems in sleeping, an abnormal bite, and crooked or missing teeth may contribute.
Regular dental checkups are important to detect damage in the early stages. We can diagnose and treat irregular wear on your teeth and determine the source of your facial pain that may result from bruxism.
Based on the diagnosis, one or more treatments may be recommended. A night guard that can be worn at night while you sleep may be the answer. Custom made from a material that fits over the teeth in one jaw, it can prevent contact with the opposing teeth. The night guard relieves the pressure of grinding and clenching.
An abnormal bite, one in which teeth do not fit well together, may lead to grinding. Treatment may involve reducing the high spots on one or more teeth, or may involve reshaping or reconstructing the biting surfaces with inlays or crowns. If the bite is bad enough, orthodontics or tooth straightening may be the solution.
Grinding and clenching is a common occurrence for many people at some time or another. If you routinely grind you teeth, we can help find and treat the cause and help control the bad effects of bruxism. Call us and we will be happy to make and evaluation of your mouth for this problem. |
