Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Bruxism, more commonly known as teeth grinding, is a dental condition in which you unconsciously grind or clench your teeth. Teeth grinding can cause sleep disorders, jaw disorders, and so on. 

What Is Teeth Grinding And What Are Its Causes

Teeth grinding, as the name suggests, is the grinding of teeth unconsciously. For example, you may grind or clench your teeth when you are asleep (known as sleep bruxism), or you may even do it unconsciously throughout the day (known as awake bruxism).

Mild bruxism does not require any treatment, whereas severe bruxism can cause problems like:

• Sleep disorder
• Snoring
• Pauses in breathing
• Jaw disorder
• Headaches
• Damaged teeth, etc.

How To Know If You Have Bruxism?

Bruxism is a condition that may not be very easy to determine until it gets severe. However, you may lookout for some symptoms to determine them yourself.

Symptoms include:

• Loud teeth grinding or clenching that may wake up your sleep partner.
• Flattened, fractured, or loose teeth.
• Worn out tooth enamel, exposing deep layers of the tooth.
• Increased tooth pain and sensitivity.
• Tight or tired jaw muscles that get locked or do not close completely.
• Soreness in jaw, neck, face.
• Pain may feel like an earache but is nothing related to your ears.
• Dull headache near the temples.
• Damaged cheek from the inside.
• Sleep disruption.

What To Do To Stop Grinding Your Teeth?

The best solution is to go to your dentist and ask for expert advice. But until you go to your dentist, you may practice some of the methods mentioned below to stop yourself from grinding your teeth.

• Stress is one of the main reasons for teeth grinding. You may attend counseling sessions to address your stress and find ways to reduce it. Try exercise programs to relieve yourself from everyday stress.
• If you notice that a sleeping disorder is causing you to grind your teeth, try curing that to reduce or eliminate the grinding habit.
• Avoid foods and drinks with caffeine in them, like coffee, cola, or chocolates.
• Avoid alcohol because grinding may intensify after alcohol consumption.
• Prevent yourself from chewing on pens, pencils, or other non-food items while idle. 
• Avoid chewing gum if you have a habit of doing so, as it makes your jaw habituated to clenching and grinding.
• Try relaxing your teeth whenever you notice yourself clenching your jaw.

Are you looking for effective treatment for bruxism? Dr. Jeanne V. Devi, DDS, and her dental assistants are here with the best treatment solutions. Call us at (626) 795-2544 or visit our website for more details. We are located at 595 E Colorado Blvd Suite 603, Pasadena, CA 91101.