Signs of Bruxism

Do you clench or grind your teeth? People who do this may have a condition called bruxism. It could happen consciously or unconsciously when you’re awake or during sleep. The sleep form of this order actually might be considered a sleep-related movement disorder such as snoring or sleep apnea. Mild forms of grinding or clenching your teeth do not necessarily require treatment. However some people can have a severe case of this disorder, which can lead to several issues.

It’s good to be aware of the signs and symptoms of this disorder. Signs and symptoms can be teeth grinding and clenching, teeth that are flattened, fractured, chipped or loose teeth, worn enamel, increased tooth pain or sensitivity, tired or tight jaw muscles, jaw, neck or face pain, dull headache, damage to the inside of your cheek from chewing, and sleep disruption. Talk to our dentists if you have these symptoms or other concerns about your teeth.

There are certain factors that may increase your risk of this disorder such as stress, age, personality type, medications and other substances, family members who clench or grind their teeth, and other disorders. Our experts can determine if you are clenching and grinding your teeth during a routine exam. They may check for tenderness in your jaw muscles, broken or missing teeth, and other damage to your teeth examined with the help of x-rays.

There are certain treatment options available such as splints and mouth guards. These keep a barrier between the teeth by separating them to avoid clenching and grinding. In severe cases when the teeth have been worn down or there is inability to chew, our dentist may need to reshape the surfaces of your teeth or use crowns to repair the damage. In many cases, treatment isn’t necessary. There are many adults who don’t clench or grind their teeth badly enough to require treatment. Kids with this disorder often outgrow it.

There are more natural approaches to treating this disorder such as stress or anxiety management, behavior change and biofeedback, which uses monitoring procedures and equipment to teach you to control muscle activity in your jaw. If you believe you have damaged teeth or sensitivity due to clenching or grinding, talk to our dentist. We can examine your mouth over the course of several visits to see if the disorder is progressive, and determine if treatment is necessary.