Teeth grinding, or Bruxism, is the clenching, grinding, or biting of your teeth. It takes place during the day or night, on purpose or more involuntarily. Commonly found in children, nighttime grinding and chewing on the teeth can cause sensitivity and wear on baby teeth; when adults grind their teeth, the damage is more serious. The causes of teeth grinding are ambiguous, but daily stress, sleeping habits, and tooth alignment can play a factor.
Gnashing your teeth can result in the following symptoms:
A constant, pounding headache
Tooth damage, cracks in the tooth
Fractured or loosened teeth
Soreness of the gums, jaws, or teeth
As it is tough to prevent teeth grinding while sleeping other issues may arise.
Symptoms can lead to temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ) after they affect the muscles and other structures around the jaw. Symptoms can also lead to worn down teeth, a misaligned bite, or any of a large list of jaw-related problems.
Treatments for teeth gnashing seek to reduce pain, stop damage to the teeth, and reduce the time spent grinding or clenching the teeth. Mouth guards or appliances, such as splints, are advised for the prevention of irreversible damage to the teeth.
If you are bothered by any of the indications of Bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching), call Eventid Family Dentistry at 210-824-0430 immediately and schedule an appointment. There are quite a few options offered to resolve the issue, both for prevention and repair. Mouthguards can aid in preventing nighttime tooth gnashing, while surgery for crowns or bridges may be needed for teeth that have been severely weakened.
While you’re waiting for your appointment, fast fixes to ease pain include curtailing alcohol and caffeine, applying ice or warm water to alleviate soreness, relaxing and avoiding stress, and heating up your face (with a warm washcloth or steam) to relax the jaw muscles before going to bed.
Leslie S. Pfeiffer, D.D.S.-Alamo Heights
937 Eventide
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 824-0430
