You may be clenching your teeth at night and not even know it. A habit of grinding or "clen," as it's called in the dental world, can cause some serious damage to teethes over time if left unchecked by proper care. If you're experiencing any symptoms that seem characteristic for bruxism such as loud clicking noises when chewing food items; frequent spitting up of drinks/foods because they get stuck during briskesimi(sp); loss of appetite due to pain caused from moving too many mouth muscles while eating
People who suffer from bruxism may or may not experience the following:
HEADACHE
SORE JAW
CLENCHING OR GRINDING TEETH
FREQUENT TOOTHACHES
FACIAL PAIN
WORN OR FRACTURED TOOTH ENAMEL
LOOSE TEETH
EARACHE
INSOMNIA
How do you develop bruxism?
Bruxism is more than just a toothpaste tube that grinds away at night. People who suffer from this are actually grinding their teeth, which can lead to over time causing pain in the jaw and head as well as an abnormal bite or crooked front two incisors (Bruxisma). Your dentist may be able to diagnose it by looking for unusual wear spots on your teeth all while doing routine checkups!
The effects of bruxism range widely depending on if you're an adult or child; children typically start getting worse symptoms around age 12+ whereas adults tend not see any real progression until they're 30+. Though there isn't really much known about what causes these habits yet
How is bruxism treated?
Depending on what is causing your bruxism, your dentist may recommend different treatment options.
If stress is the cause of bruxism, your dentist may recommend that you find ways to relax. Reading a book, listening to quiet music, taking a walk or a warm bath may help. You also may be asked to apply a warm washcloth or compress to the side of your face to help the muscles in your face relax. Practicing relaxation techniques may also be helpful. If you have difficulty handling stress, counseling may point to effective ways of dealing with stressful situations.
Your dentist may also suggest a night-guard to wear while you sleep. Nightguards are helpful for bruxism caused by sleep disorders, crooked or missing teeth, or stress. Custom-made by
your dentist from soft material to fit your teeth, the night-guard slips over the upper and lower teeth and prevents contact between them. It helps relieve some of the pressure of grinding or clenching, which can damage delicate jaw joints.
Treatment for those with an abnormal bite may involve reducing the "high spots" on one or more teeth. For serious cases, your dentist may suggest reshaping or reconstructing the biting surfaces with inlays or crowns.
The pain from bruxism can be relieved by paying attention to the symptoms, frequent dental visits and good communication with your dentist.
