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Teeth Grinding and Jaw Pain (Bruxism)
What are Bruxism?
Bruxism is the clenching or the grinding of the teeth, which can occur while a person is sleeping. When you grind, the force of the teeth is many times greater than during normal chewing. Over time these forces can cause teeth to flatten, wear down, chip at the gum line, fracture, or become loose. Damage to the jawbone and joints may occur as well.
What are the symptoms of Bruxism?
Some of the symptoms of Bruxism are:
- Sore, tired jaw
- Difficulty in opening and closing your mouth
- Sensitive teeth
- Ear aches
- Head aches
- Pain in the jaw joints
- Some people have no symptoms at all
What can be done for Bruxism?
Though all of the causes of bruxism are not known, stress is often a factor. If this is the case, a variety of stress reduction techniques may be recommended. We may also recommend medication to temporarily reduce stress and relieve pain. Sometimes missing teeth, and teeth that are out of alignment may cause grinding and clenching. In this case treatments for misaligned bite are:
- Bridges
- Crowns
- Equilibration, or adjusting your bite so your teeth fit together better
- Orthodontics
- Other treatments
A common and effective treatment to stop the damage caused by bruxism is the use of a night guard. This is a plastic device that fits over your top or bottom teeth to absorb the forces caused by grinding. A custom night guard made from models of your teeth usually offers the most effective and comfortable protection. No matter what is causing your bruxism, it is important to treat it early on to prevent further damage and to restore harmony to your mouth.