What is bruxism?
Bruxism is the unconscious and involuntary habit of clenching or grinding teeth. This means that a person with bruxism is mostly unaware of, and unable to stop the habit. It can take place at night when asleep or during the day and is sometimes related to stress. Bruxism can affect the teeth, muscles, jaw joints (TMJ), and the appearance of the face.
People who suffer from bruxism may or may not experience the following:
- Headache
- Sore jaw
- Clenching or grinding teeth
- Frequent toothaches
- Facial pain
- Worn or fractured teeth
- Loose teeth
- Earache
- Insomnia
How is bruxism treated?
The most common treatment is a guard, specially made our lab, which is worn at night. Night guards, when worn properly, can prevent your teeth from chipping, cracking, and wearing down abnormally fast.