Teeth grinding, or Bruxism, is the clenching, grinding, or biting of your teeth. It can happen 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 unclear, but sleeping habits, daily stress, and your bite can play a factor.

Chewing your teeth can cause the following symptoms:

A pounding, constant headache
Tooth damage, cracks in the tooth
Fractured, loose teeth
Soreness of the teeth, gums, or jaws

As it is tough to know about teeth grinding overnight 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 Bruxism seek to reduce pain, reduce damage to the teeth, and reduce the time spent grinding or clenching your teeth. Mouth guards or appliances, such as splints, are encouraged for the prevention of long-term damage to the teeth.

If you are bothered by any of the signs of Bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching), call Dr. Brazis at 916-731-5151
immediately and set up an appointment. There are a number of options offered to resolve the issue, both for prevention and restoration. Mouthguards can help in preventing nighttime tooth gnashing, while operation for crowns or bridges may be needed for teeth that have been severely weakened.

While you’re waiting for your appointment, speedy fixes to ease pain include cutting back on alcohol and caffeine, applying ice or warm water to relieve soreness, relaxing and avoiding stress, and heating your face (with a warm washcloth or steam) to relax the jaw muscles before sleep.

Steven J. Brazis DDS
5030 J Street, Ste. 302
Sacramento, CA 95819
(916) 731-5151