Bruxism Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Created on April 14, 2011

One of the major dental problems that people face is tooth grinding. This involves the clenching and gnashing of the teeth while a person is asleep. Our Springfield, MA cosmetic dentist and the entire team here at our practice have been able to help many patients who grind their teeth at night. Let’s briefly take a look at the symptoms of teeth grinding, the causes of teeth grinding, and the treatments that can help remedy teeth grinding.

There are several symptoms to look out for that will be sure signs of teeth grinding. One is pain or soreness in the jaw or in the temples. Since teeth grinding involves clenching of the teeth at night, it puts a lot of stress on jaw muscles and the jaw joints. Both headaches and jaw aches are common. You may also notice some popping, locking, clicking, or stiffness of the jaw as well. In some cases, people who grind their teeth do this so severely that they chip and crack their teeth. This can be quite painful in some cases.

The most common causes of teeth grinding are stress and anxiety. This can be exacerbated by teeth that are misaligned or crooked. These misalignments can lead to more fiction when the teeth clench or grind, potentially resulting in worse jaw pain and more severe tooth damage.

To deal with teeth grinding, there are plenty of options to consider. One of the ways to limit further damage to the jaw and teeth is to give a patient a mouthpiece to wear at night. This will prevent the teeth from making contact and reduce the amount of clenching that occurs. This should take care of the jaw pain and clicking, though if that persists and is unaffected, then surgery or other therapies may be employed. To deal with the damage to the teeth, Springfield, MA dental crowns can be used for major damage. Porcelain veneers, inlays, onlays, or tooth bonding are options for less severe chips and cracks.

To learn more about teeth grinding and the many treatments that are available, contact our Springfield, MA cosmetic dentistry office today.

Tagged with: Bruxism, Teeth Grinding