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Occasional teeth grinding, or bruxism, does not usually cause harm, but when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged, leading to other oral health complications. If you grind your teeth, you may unconsciously clench your teeth together during the day or grind them at night. Your bruxism can be mild and may not require treatment. Unfortunately, it can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other dental problems. Since bruxism may occur while you are sleeping, you may be unaware of it until complications develop. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of bruxism and to seek regular dental care from your dentist. Causes and Symptoms Occurring frequently in your sleep, it is often difficult to recognize if you have bruxism. Some teeth become so worn that the enamel comes off which then exposes the inside of the tooth causing extreme sensitivity. Many people report pain in their jaw that can produce popping or clicking noises. Additionally, as a result of excessive clenching, a key indicator of bruxism can be indentation on the tongue. Other symptoms include:
* A grinding sound at night
* Headaches/Migraines
* Occasional swelling on the side of your lower jaw
* Painful jaw joint
* Long-lasting pain in the face
* Damaged teeth, broken dental fillings and injured gums According to the Academy of General Dentistry, if you bite your fingernails when you are stressed, chew on a pencil or clench you jaw during sports competitions, you could be at a greater risk for bruxism. Prevention and Treatment One way to begin prevention is to watch what you eat. Certain foods may increase instances of teeth grinding, so it is helpful to avoid drinks that contain caffeine like coffee or cola. Research has also shown that grinding behaviors may increase after the consumption of alcohol. Chewing gum on a regular basis can also contribute to bruxism because it conditions your jaw muscles to become more used to clenching. You can help train yourself by simply placing your tongue between your teeth any time you notice a clench. This type of habituation can help you to train your muscles to relax and reduce clenching. Your dentist automatically checks for physical signs of teeth grinding at every regular check-up and cleaning. If bruxism seems to be present, it may need to be observed over several visits before recommending treatment or starting therapy. The main objective of therapy is to get the bruxer to change their behavior by learning how to rest their tongue, teeth and lips properly. When some people become aware of their problem, simply advising them to rest their tongue upward with teeth apart and lips shut may be enough to change their behavior. Call your Buffalo cosmetic dentist if you have symptoms of bruxism, or if you are told that you grind your teeth when you sleep. It is also important to visit your dentist if you break a tooth, lose a filling, or notice your teeth are becoming worse. The earlier bruxism is identified, the better it will be in treating the symptoms.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading Buffalo cosmetic dentist, Dr. Robert LaCarrubba at Elmwood Village Dental. Specializing in veneers, six month braces and implants, Dr. LaCarrubba, cosmetic dentist in Buffalo, is committed to providing the best in quality dental health care for patients of all ages.
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