What Is Bruxism?
You may have heard the word “bruxism” before, but if you haven’t, bruxism is the clinical term for teeth grinding, more specifically, the involuntary clenching, grinding, and gnashing of your teeth, usually during sleep. Because it mainly occurs when we’re asleep, we don’t always realize it’s happening.
Signs To Look For
Unless someone tells you that they heard you grinding your teeth in your sleep or your dentist sees the signs during an examination, you may not be aware that you are. How can you tell if you are grinding your teeth? Here are some signs to look out for:
- headaches, jaw pain, and/or earaches
- aching teeth, particularly after just waking up
- aching and stiffness of the face and temples just after waking up
- jaw pain or stiffness while chewing, especially during breakfast
- jaw clenching when you’re angry, anxious, or focused
- temperature-sensitive teeth
- cracked or chipped tooth enamel
- tooth indentations on your tongue
- raised tissue on the inside of your cheeks caused by biting
- loose teeth.
If you have any combination of these symptoms, please schedule an appointment at Clinton Dental Center so that we can examine your teeth to confirm bruxism and then put a treatment plan in place that will prevent serious damage to your teeth.
What Are The Causes?
There are several factors that can contribute to bruxism. Teeth grinding and jaws clenching are most often linked to:
- stress and anxiety
- sleep disturbances, like snoring and sleep apnea
- side effects from medications
- smoking and using tobacco products
- frequent or heavy alcohol use
What Can I Do?
You can take steps to reduce bruxism and its effects:
- Find ways to relax, like meditation, breathing exercises, listening to music, and physical exercise
- Get a good night’s sleep, go to bed at the same time every night, limit screen time right before bed, sleep in a cool, dark room
- Take over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen if you have jaw pain or swelling
- Use an ice pack to reduce jaw swelling
- Get regular dental examinations
We also recommend avoiding the following:
- Smoking or using tobacco or other products that contain nicotine
- Drinking alcohol to excess, especially right before going to sleep at night
- Taking unprescribed stimulants, including over-the-counter appetite suppressants
- Drinking energy drinks and caffeinated beverages, especially in the later afternoon/evening
- Treatment
Effective treatment for bruxism requires personalized solutions. Some patients need orthodontics, while others may require an occlusal device (nightguard). Whatever the case may be, we will create a treatment plan that is suited to you and your needs. The first step is to make an appointment at our office located in Chesterfield, MI. Call us today to schedule a consultation.
