Bruxism is the name dentists use to describe what is commonly referred to as teeth grinding. Bruxism is a relatively common problem treated by dentists, and although you may consider it to be a minor problem, frequent teeth grinding can damage tooth enamel and leave your teeth susceptible to discolouration, decay and infection. Teeth grinding seems to occur most commonly when you are asleep, but some people do it while they are awake, particularly if feeling stressed or during periods of intense concentration. You may be more likely to develop bruxism if your jaw is misaligned, your teeth are overcrowded or you suffer from acid reflux, but there's not always an identifiable cause for developing this condition.

Symptoms Of Bruxism

Visible damage to your tooth enamel is a symptom of bruxism that's been left untreated for a while, but there are symptoms that show up earlier. Bruxism can cause your jaw muscle to feel tight and sufferers often report tooth sensitivity and headaches. You may also notice teeth marks on each side of your tongue, and these may be more prominent when you wake up.

Treating Bruxism

Your dentist can identify bruxism when you have a check-up, and they will recommend a treatment approach based on what they think could be causing you to grind your teeth. Treatment may include removing some teeth to address overcrowding, or you may require braces to straighten misaligned teeth. Alternatively, your dentist may suggest you wear a custom-made mouth guard when you sleep. Dental putty will be used to create a mould of your bottom teeth and a soft plastic mouth guard will be made to fit snuggly over your bottom teeth. Wearing a mouth guard will prevent your top and bottom teeth from making contact and can help you break the habit of grinding your teeth. If you're suffering from very tight jaw muscles your dentist may suggest a short course of muscle relaxants and some gentle jaw exercises can also help loosen your jaw and reduce headaches. If you think stress may be causing you to grind your teeth, consider working with a therapist to learn some stress management techniques or reviewing your lifestyle and making some changes to remove the cause of stress, if possible.

Regular dental check-ups allow bruxism to be identified before irreversible enamel damage occurs. So, if you are experiencing symptoms associated with bruxism, or if you're overdue a check-up, get in touch with your dentist and schedule an appointment.