Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

What Is Teeth Grinding?

Teeth grinding (also known as bruxism) is the condition in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth leading to attrition of your teeth. 

What Are The Different Types of Teeth Grinding?

• Awake bruxism 

When there is jaw clenching or teeth grinding when you are awake

• Night bruxism 

When you unconsciously clench your jaw or grind your teeth while sleeping

Why Am I Grinding My Teeth?

There are many factors but the most common causes of teeth grinding are:

• Stress 

Emotions such as anger and frustration can lead to teeth grinding

• Medications and other substances

Bruxism may be an uncommon side effect of some psychiatric medications, such as certain antidepressants

• Smoking and drinking

Smoking tobacco, drinking caffeinated beverages or alcohol could increase the risk of teeth grinding

• Personality type

Having a personality type that's aggressive, competitive or hyperactive can increase your risk of bruxism

How Do I Know If I'm Grinding My Teeth?

Teeth grinding can be quite easily spotted by either you or a loved one. When one or more of the following symptoms are present, you might have teeth grinding.

• Your partner complains about the sound of your teeth grinding or clenching at night

• Jaw muscle soreness when you wake up in the morning

• Ache at the ear (when there isn’t any problem with the ear)

• Dull headache

• Teeth look like they are shorter and have sharper edges 

• Chipped teeth

• Flattened teeth

• Fractured teeth

• Fractured dental fillings (if they happen often)

• Loose teeth

• Worn teeth

• Teeth pain

What Happens If I Ignore My Teeth Grinding Habit?

If ignored, teeth grinding can lead to many other problems which include the following:

• Short-looking teeth (unaesthetic teeth)

• Reduced face height

• Flat-looking lips (pursed lips)

• Teeth sensitivity or pain 

• Difficulty in biting food or chewing food

• Pain or soreness at the sides of face or jaw

• Dental fillings keep chipping/ fracturing even after being redone multiple times

• Tooth chipping 

Complications from Teeth Grinding

In most cases, mild bruxism doesn't cause serious complications. But if it is left unchecked, there is a possibility that it may lead to severe bruxism. 

When preventive measures aren’t taken, severe bruxism may cause the following:

• Damage to your teeth or jaw

• Tension-type headaches

• Severe facial or jaw pain

• Disorders that occur in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), located just in front of your ears, which may sound like clicking when you open and close your mouth

How do we solve teeth grinding problems?

Prevention is always better than cure. As such, if mild bruxism is found during your regular checkup here at Circle Dental, we always a recommend wearing a custom-made night guard that will prevent your teeth from further wearing down.

How Do I Get My Custom-Made Night Guard

The process of getting your night guard will require two visits. The first visit will be to take the impression of your teeth and the way you bite. 

The second visit will be the fitting and delivery of your custom-made night guard which will be approximately two weeks after taking the impression. The whole procedure is completely painless and you have nothing to worry about!

How Do We Restore Teeth That Have Already Been Ground Down

Depending on the extent of the wearing of teeth, multiple fillings, veneers, crowns or onlays will have to be involved.

The treatment process may also involve a period of transition where a night guard has to be worn before the teeth can be restored to its full function and aesthetics again. In severe cases of bruxism, the treatment might entail a full mouth rehabilitation.