Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Bruxism is either the clenching or grinding of teeth or both of them together. It is usually a greater problem at night when one is unaware that they are doing it. Often the patient’s partner will be the first to notice it as they can hear the noise coming from the other side of the bed. It is commonly believed that this subconscious nighttime bruxism is due to stress and anxiety.

Grinding can damage teeth by scraping and wearing away the surface. This can be a cosmetic problem, as teeth shorten and change shape, and can lead to sensitive teeth if the enamel becomes worn. Clenching can cause muscle strain and fatigue, earaches, and headaches, and put severe stress on the hinge of the jaw, the temporomandibular joint.

We will give you a thorough examination to see if your teeth or dental work has been damaged by the bruxing. Though there is no sure treatment for bruxism, it has been positively linked to stress and anxiety. We will probably suggest modifying your behavior to bring down the stress in your life. To prevent damage to your teeth, we will prepare a custom-fitted plastic appliance for you to wear when you sleep. This won’t stop the bruxing, but the plastic of the appliance will prevent your top and bottom teeth from contacting each other.