Teeth grinding (bruxism) is involuntary clenching and grinding of the teeth. It generally happens during sleep, but some people experience it when they are awake.
Bruxism can be a physical expression of stress.
Generally,
the person doesn’t realize that they grind their teeth in their sleep. The
spouse is often the first to notice the problem.
Signs and symptoms of bruxism
- Audible grinding sounds while the person is asleep
- Headache, jaw joint and/or ear pain
- Aching teeth, particularly upon waking
- Aching and/or stiffness of the face and temples upon waking
- Aching or stiffness in the jaws while chewing, particularly during breakfast
- Clenching the jaw when angry, anxious or concentrating
- Temperature-sensitive teeth
- Cracked or chipped tooth enamel
- Mobile teeth
Teeth grinding can cause a range of dental problems, which may include:
- Cracked tooth enamel
- Excessive wear and tear on the teeth
- Broken teeth or restorations
- Strain on the joints and soft tissue of the jaw joint ( TMJ Disroder)
- Tooth loss (rarely)
Treatment of Bruxism
- Repair of tooth damage
- Mouth appliances to be worn at night (night guard) so that you grind the appliance and not your teeth
- Stress management
