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Do you grind your teeth? Have you experienced pain in your jaw or frequent headaches? The pain may not have anything to do with your head. Instead, this pain may signal a serious problem with your jaw. Left untreated, this can adversely affect your teeth, gums, and bone structures of your mouth, as well as recurring headaches. What is Bruxism? Bruxism is a condition in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth. 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 Grosse Pointe dentist. Occurring frequently in your sleep, it is often difficult to recognize if you have bruxism. There are a number of signs that can indicate if a person is suffering from teeth grinding such as, your teeth may appear worn down with tips that look flat. 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
* A dull morning headache
* 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 Headaches and Bruxism Headaches are often associated with stress, which is the main cause of bruxism. More than tension and anxiety, the constant, irregular, and usually involuntary muscle movements of the mouth, jaws, and the ear also cause severe headaches. Although many people may think a headache is normal after a day's heavy work or due to the extreme heat outdoors, sometimes headaches can arise from a completely different underlying cause. Bruxism headaches are typically chronic, just as bruxism is a recurring problem. Upon the first onset of chronic headaches you should ask yourself if there is any cause for it. If your headache has been recurring for the past two weeks and there seems to be no substantial reason for it, you may be experiencing a bruxism dilemma. Pain of bruxism headaches travels from the eyes and temples to the back of the head and neck. A normal headache might be present in the temples or above the eyes, but it's quite uncommon for these pains to be accompanied by pain at the back of the head and neck. If you have bruxism, or if you suspect that your chronic headaches are due to bruxism, it's important that you seek the advice of your dentist in Grosse Pointe. Treatment with Nite Time Splint In many cases, no treatment is necessary. Many people outgrow bruxism without special treatment, and many adults don't grind or clench their teeth badly enough to require therapy. When treatment is needed, patients can often use Nite Time splint, a dental devise worn while sleeping eliminating your pain quickly, helping with the alignment of your jaws while sleeping. Call your Grosse Pointe 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. Consult your Grosse Pointe dentist for more information on bruxism and how you can further prevent teeth grinding.
Dr. Mary Sue Stonisch of Faircourt Dental Smile Enhancement Studio is a leading dentist in Grosse Pointe. Providing the best cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry that the Grosse Pointe area has to offer, Dr. Stonisch is qualified to handle any dental need for patients of every age including implants, saliva testing and veneers in Grosse Pointe.
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