From time to time, many people may grind and clench their teeth. Occasional teeth grinding, or bruxism, does not usually cause harm, but when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth, jawbone, and joints can be damaged causing other oral health complications to arise. Although teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety, it may often occur during sleep and is more likely caused by an abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth. Other common causes are Sleep Apnea, neck imbalances, and TMJ pathology. Your bruxism can be mild and may not require treatment. Unfortunately, it can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other dental problems. Since bruxism may occur while you are sleeping, you may be unaware of it until complications develop. It is important to know the signs and symptoms of bruxism and to seek regular dental care from your dentist. Do You Bite Your Nails? According to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), people who bite their fingernails when stressed could be at a greater risk for bruxism, teeth grinding. Bruxism is a condition in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth. If you grind your teeth, you may unconsciously clench your teeth together during the day or grind them at night. Just because you are old enough to know better, doesn't mean you will not pick up bad habits. Bruxism is a common, and usually unrecognized, nightly routine that often develops in adults. Bruxing is the involuntary gnashing or grinding of teeth. Studies have shown that grinding teeth can lead to crumbling teeth, chronic headaches and constant jaw pain. It is important to recognize that chronic bruxism is indicative of an underlying structural problem. Occurring frequently in your sleep, it is often difficult to recognize if you have bruxism. There are a number of signs that can indicate if a person is suffering from teeth grinding such as, your teeth may appear worn down with tips that look flat. Some teeth become so worn that the enamel comes off which then exposes the inside of the tooth causing extreme sensitivity. Many people report pain in their jaw that can produce popping or clicking noises. Additionally, as a result of excessive clenching, a key indicator of bruxism can be indentation on the tongue. Other symptoms include: *A grinding sound at night *A dull morning headache *Occasional swelling on the side of your lower jaw *Painful jaw joint *Long-lasting pain in the face *Damaged teeth, broken dental fillings and injured gums Tips for Prevention If you feel tension or pain in your neck, have a professional check for imbalances. It can trigger bruxism. If your jaw joints (TMJ) make noises or are painful, have Dr. Barnes in Boulder evaluate your TMJ. Call your Boulder dentist, if you have symptoms of bruxism, or if you are told that you grind your teeth when you sleep. The earlier bruxism is identified, the better it will be in treating the symptoms. Consult your dentist in Boulder for more information on bruxism and how you can further prevent teeth grinding.
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