Have you ever heard of bruxism? This issue—which is more commonly known as teeth grinding—is probably more common than you would expect. You see, many people have bruxism without realizing the problem, partially because many individuals clench their teeth unconsciously. As you may have guessed, this can cause quite a few problems since you might be clenching your teeth even while you’re sleeping.

There are a number of issues you may have to deal with if you have bruxism. For example, your enamel could wear down, which may leave you more vulnerable to tooth decay. Furthermore, clenching your teeth could lead to tension headaches or even migraines. Similarly, clenching your teeth could lead to chipped or fractured teeth. In fact, if bruxism is left untreated, over time you could actually lose all of your teeth.

Fortunately, there are a few symptoms you can watch out for. For instance, as a result of teeth grinding, you could be experiencing dull headaches, especially after you wake up. Also, your mouth and muscles may frequently feel sore. You may also experience pain in your ear, damage to the insides of your cheeks, and even indentations on your tongue. 

The good news is, there are a number of things you can do to address bruxism, depending on the source of your habit. This may include reducing your stress levels, drinking more water, getting more sleep, and making a conscious effort to relax the facial muscles and jaw muscles throughout the day. Often, a custom night guard will help, and we are pleased to offer custom night guards for our patients experiencing bruxism.

If you’re interested in learning more about bruxism, please feel free to give Buckland Hills Dental in Manchester, Connecticut, at (860) 644-0099. Dr. Chi is happy to answer any questions you may have.