Seattle
Bruxism is the excessive grinding or clenching of your teeth and jaw. Teeth grinding may not require treatment if the condition is mild enough. However, more severe grinding can lead to other pressing issues like damage to your teeth, jaw conditions, and headaches.
Symptoms of an Bruxism
- Tight, tired, or locked jaw
- Jaw, neck, ear, and facial pain
- Headaches
- Sleep disruption
- Loud grinding or clenching
- Flattened, chipped, fractured, or damaged teeth
- Worn enamel
- Damage to your cheeks from chewing
- Tooth pain and sensitivity
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Causes of Bruxism/Teeth Grinding
People can clench and grind their teeth during the day or while they are sleeping, meaning that teeth grinding can be diagnosed as either awake bruxism or sleep bruxism. Since people who grind their teeth in their sleep may not know that they are grinding or clenching their teeth, it is essential to be aware of the symptoms.
Sleep Bruxism
- Sleep grinding coupled with sleeping disorders such as snoring and sleep apnea.
Awake Bruxism
- Awake grinding can be a coping mechanism used to handle stress, anger, tension, and anxiety. It may also be a habit associated with concentration.
Other Forms:
- Excessive teeth grinding and clenching associated with medical conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
Associated risks of bruxism
Bruxism can cause severe side effects to your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and your teeth. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to us at Seattle Cornerstone Dental. We will work closely with you to determine the severity of your teeth grinding and develop a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan based on the causes, type of bruxism, and damage that has already occurred. We understand how painful the side effects from teeth grinding can be, and it is our goal to alleviate your pain while tending to the health of your teeth and joints.
Bruxism prevention and remedies
Being fitted for an occlusal or night guard will help to protect your teeth from the effects of grinding while you sleep. However, to cease teeth grinding completely, it is essential to treat the triggers for why you grind your teeth.
If stress is causing your bruxism, ask us about stress reduction techniques and options. Exercise, stress counseling, or prescription muscle relaxers may help reduce how often or severely you grind your teeth.
600 University Street Suite 828 Seattle, WA 98101
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of teeth grinding, don’t wait to get relief. Call our office today to schedule your appointment. Our Seattle dental office handles all types of common dental issues.
