What is Bruxism?

     Bruxism is a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth.  Clenching means that you hold your top and bottom teeth tightly together.  Grinding is when you slide your teeth back and forth over each other.  Bruxism can occur at any age, from children 3 or 4 years old up to adults.  Often, parents can hear their young children grinding their teeth while they are sleeping.  Many people with bruxism wake themselves up in the middle of the night from the sound of their teeth clinching or grinding.  Sometimes people are aware that they have a bruxing problem, but often times they are not.  They may have symptoms but be unaware that the cause is due to bruxism.
     People who suffer from bruxism may have the following symptoms:

• headache
• sore jaw
• frequent headaches
• facial pain
• worn or cracked teeth or fillings
• loose teeth
• earache
• insomnia

The exact causes of bruxism are unknown but most dentists agree that stress, sleep disorders or an abnormal bite are some of things that definitely play a role.  Your dentist can determine if your symptoms are from bruxism by looking for unusual wear spots on your teeth and assessing your related symptoms.  If you have any of the above symptoms on a regular basis, it is important that you have an examination by a dentist.
     There are several different ways for treating bruxism.  Some of these include:

• stress reduction
• a protective "night guard" worn over the teeth while sleeping
• medication for pain or muscle spasms
• fillings or other dental treatment to repair any damaged teeth

Frequently, wearing a night guard while you sleep will provide relief after only a few nights.  Night guards are custom made from an impression (mold) of your teeth.  They are made of a very hard plastic or acrylic.  The night guard fits snugly over either the upper or lower teeth and prevents the teeth from touching.  This keeps the jaw muscles relaxed thus eliminating headaches and soreness in the jaw muscles.  Wearing a night guard also protects your teeth from being worn down or possibly cracked due to intense bruxing.
     At  Clearwater Dental Associates we are able to examine and treat bruxism problems.  We make custom fit night guards and we have appointments available immediately!