Do you deal with jaw pain or sensitive teeth? You might have bruxism, which means you grind or clench your teeth without realizing it. This can happen while you’re asleep or when you’re feeling stressed. Many people in the U.S. have bruxism, but they often don’t know it, so they don’t get treatment.
People who smoke or have a crooked bite are more likely to get bruxism than others. It’s important to know the signs so you can stop further pain or dental issues from happening.
Types of Bruxism
Bruxism comes in two types:
- Sleep Bruxism: This happens when you’re asleep and is often linked to sleep disorders. Most people don’t even know they’re grinding their teeth, and it often takes someone else to point it out. Over time, this can cause serious damage to your teeth and even disrupt your sleep.
- Awake Bruxism: This happens when you’re awake, usually because of stress. People are often aware that they’re clenching their teeth, but they may not notice how often it happens. This type of grinding can also lead to dental problems and jaw pain.
Common Symptoms
Bruxism symptoms vary from person to person but can include:
- Loose Teeth
- Tooth Pain
- Headaches
- Lockjaw and Jaw soreness
- Ringing in the ears
- Muscle Soreness
- Tooth Sensitivity
- Earaches
- Trouble chewing and swallowing
- Fractured Teeth
- Jaw Soreness
Our professionals will work with you to find the cause and suggest an effective solution. People grind their teeth for different reasons, and understanding these can help in managing and treating the condition:
- Stress and Anxiety: High levels of stress can lead to muscle tension, causing people to clench their teeth.
- Sleep Disorders: Conditions like sleep apnea can cause sleep bruxism. When sleep is interrupted, grinding is more likely to happen.
- Medications: Some drugs, like antidepressants, can cause teeth grinding as a side effect.
- Misaligned Teeth: When your teeth don’t fit together right, grinding can happen as your jaw tries to find a comfortable position.
- Lifestyle Factors: Things like caffeine and alcohol can make bruxism worse because they affect your sleep and muscle tension.
Complications of Bruxism
If not treated, bruxism can cause serious problems like:
- Wearing down or breaking teeth
- Sensitivity from exposing the inner layers of teeth
- Jaw issues like TMJ disorders, which cause pain and make it hard to chew or speak
- Headaches and facial pain, especially in the temples
Treating bruxism early can prevent these issues from getting worse.
How to Prevent Bruxism
Preventing bruxism involves addressing underlying causes. Lower stress by exercising or practicing relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation. Good sleep hygiene can also reduce sleep bruxism. Improve your sleep by keeping a regular schedule and avoiding caffeine or alcohol before bed.
Regular dental check-ups are also crucial to catch early signs of bruxism. The dentist can provide advice on maintaining good oral health. Lastly, use a mouthguard while sleeping to protect your teeth from damage.
Treatment for Bruxism
At Claremont Dental Institute, we offer bruxism treatments using custom-fit mouthguards. These guards stop your teeth from grinding together and help align your jaw to ease pain. We’ll work closely with you throughout the process to make sure your treatment is effective and fits your needs.
If your teeth are crooked or misaligned, we can offer additional treatments to restore your smile once your bruxism is under control.
If you grind or clench your teeth when stressed, call Claremont Dental Institute at (909) 277-6919 for help with bruxism.