Bruxism, also known as tooth grinding, can be very damaging to your teeth because it can wear down your tooth enamel, weaken fillings and crowns, damage teeth, cause headaches, create tooth sensitivity and cause jaw pain over time. If left untreated, bruxism can increase your risk of tooth decay and may cause fractured or chipped teeth or even permanent tooth loss. In the event that grinding your teeth becomes a nightly occurrence, bruxism treatment may be necessary. Our team of dental professionals will thoroughly examine your teeth, cheeks, and gums to determine the severity of the grinding and whether a custom-made nightguard is necessary. In some cases, we may also recommend that we repair the damage to your teeth before fitting you for a nightguard.
Some of the most common signs of bruxism are:
- Painful or stiff jaw
- Sensitive, loose, or broken teeth
- Sore gums
- Sores on the insides of your cheeks
- A popping sound in the jaw joint
- Morning headaches
- Worn-down teeth
- Fatigue caused by restless sleep