Do you wake up with headaches or a sore jaw in the morning? Does your partner notice the sound your teeth make at night? You may suffer from bruxism, or teeth grinding. Approximately 10% of the population grinds their teeth at night, and the culprit is usually stress or misaligned teeth.
Categorized as a sleep disorder, bruxism presents a problem because it can wear down the enamel on one’s teeth and damage previous dental work, such as dental crowns, bridges, or dentures. Grinding can also cause TMD or make it worse. Your tooth enamel is priceless. It protects your teeth against decay and cannot be replaced. Therefore, it’s essential that we all take great care to protect our enamel over the course of our entire lives. If enamel begins to erode, it can become discolored, due to exposure to dentin, the yellow layer underneath your enamel. Enamel erosion can also cause your teeth to fracture more easily, leading to missing or cracked teeth and dental implants.
If you think you are suffering from bruxism, it’s important to see your dentist to get properly diagnosed. Our hygienists also look for evidence of teeth grinding during each cleaning.
If you do, in fact, suffer from bruxism, we can help to alleviate the problem in a number of ways, including using a splint or mouthguard, or adopting stress management techniques.
If you have any questions about your grinding or if you would like to schedule a free consultation, please contact our team or make an appointment. Our incredible staff will give you the best dental care possible.