Bruxism is the grinding and clenching of teeth. It can occur at any time, though it is more common at night while you are asleep. Bruxism is one of the largest contributing factors to tooth damage but is often misdiagnosed or undiagnosed due to the fact that it is one of several potential causes of tooth wear. TMJ disorder, on the other hand, usually occurs when the temporomandibular joint is stressed, injured or misaligned, and this disorder can be a direct result of bruxism. Symptoms include chronic pain, locked jaw, grinding or clicking with movement, and frequent headaches.

When untreated, bruxism can cause many oral health problems that affect your smile and your overall health and quality of life, including:

• Broken, chipped and worn teeth
• Broken dentures or other oral appliances
• Headaches and migraines
• Earaches and ear ringing
• Sore jaw joints (leading or contributing to TMJ disorders)
• Tension and pain in the head, neck and shoulder muscles
• Pain and tightness in jaw muscles

There are several treatments available to help alleviate your pain and help you stop grinding your teeth, ranging from relaxation exercises to oral appliances such as night guards and NTI-tss devices. When you visit our office, we will examine your mouth and determine which type of treatment will be most effective at managing your bruxism. Once your bruxism is under control, we will work with you to restore your smile to full beauty and health.

To make an appointment with our dentist and learn more about bruxism, please contact our office today.