Teeth grinding, or Bruxism, is the clenching, grinding, or biting of your teeth. It can take place during the day or night, on purpose or more involuntarily. Commonly found in children, nighttime grinding and chewing on the teeth can cause sensitivity and wear on baby teeth; when adults grind their teeth, the damage is more serious. The causes of teeth grinding are not clear, but daily stress, sleeping habits, and tooth alignment can play a factor.
Grinding your teeth may produce the following symptoms:
-
A constant, pounding headache
Tooth damage, cracks in the tooth
Fractured or loosened teeth
Soreness of the gums, teeth, or jaws
As it is tough to stop teeth grinding while sleeping other issues may arise.
Symptoms can lead to temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ) after they affect the muscles and other structures around the jaw. Symptoms can also lead to worn down teeth, a misaligned bite, or any of a large list of jaw-related problems.
Treatments for teeth grinding seek to reduce pain, prevent damage to the teeth, and reduce the time spent grinding or clenching the teeth. Mouth guards or appliances, such as splints, are recommended for the prevention of permanent damage to the teeth.
If you are bothered by any of the indications of Bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching), call Dr. Virk at 509-838-0404 immediately and schedule an appointment. There are many options offered to resolve the issue, both for prevention and repair. Mouthguards can aid in preventing nighttime tooth gnashing, while surgery for crowns or bridges may be needed for teeth that have been severely weakened.
While you’re waiting for your appointment, immediate fixes to ease pain include restricting alcohol and caffeine, applying ice or warm water to reduce soreness, relaxing and avoiding stress, and warming your face (with a warm washcloth or steam) to relax the jaw muscles before sleeping.
Davenport Smiles LLC
111 S Post St # 2260
Spokane, WA 99201-4912
(509) 838-0404
