Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding or teeth clenching. Unfortunately, this oral habit can lead to some very unwanted consequences involving your teeth, jaw and face. The majority of teeth grinders perform the habit subconsciously while they sleep. In fact, according to the Business Insider, thirty to 40 million Americans grind their teeth at night. That’s roughly 10% of the US population! Nighttime teeth grinding can make it difficult for patients to diagnose their own bruxism habit – until the daytime symptoms present themselves.
What Happens When Your Grind and Clench
Bruxism puts incredible forces on your teeth and jaw joint (TMJ). When the act of teeth grinding and/or teeth clenching is performed throughout the night, your smile can suffer under the extra pressures. In addition, when the jaw joint is overworked, the inflammation can lead to tension headaches and a painful TMD condition.
Bruxism can lead to the following range of consequences:
- Fractured or worn down teeth
- Shifting teeth
- Sore or sensitive teeth
- Damaged crowns, fillings or other dental work
- Jaw pain or jaw soreness
- Painful chewing
- TMJ related headaches, facial pain or ear pain
- Changes in facial appearance (overdeveloped jaw muscles/square jaw shape)
Protecting Yourself from Nighttime Bruxism
How do you kick a teeth grinding habit when you aren’t aware you’re doing it? At Gold Hill Dentistry, we proudly offer custom-fit mouthguards to prevent bruxism while you sleep. It is a simple appointment and minimal price to pay compared to the disruptive chain of events that can occur if your teeth grinding goes untreated. Call today to learn more about our nighttime oral appliances for bruxism.