Bruxism is a common condition among adult dental patients. People who suffer from chronic dental grinding and clenching often notice that their smiles start to change—in appearance and health—as bruxism worsens. Keep reading to learn more from our Elmhurst dentists…
What Causes Bruxism?
Bruxism is a condition that is characterized by dental grinding as well as tooth clenching. Sometimes bruxism is only a temporary problem—during times of great stress, for example. However, bruxism can also be a chronic condition caused by TMJ issues or poor bite alignment.
How Do I Know If I Have It?
Well, you may be able to notice yourself grinding our clenching your teeth during the day—if this happens to you, then we encourage you to reach out to your dentists for more support! But, remember that many people grind their teeth at night. To identify this type of bruxism, you want to make stay alert for:
- Headaches up on waking
- Jaw pain
- Jaw stiffness
- Bite alignment issues
- Tooth pain
How Can I Protect My Smile?
Our dental team will tailor your treatment plan to suit your individual circumstance. If, for example, you only grind your teeth sometimes, due to stress, we may recommend some relaxation exercises and jaw stretches to alleviate the problem.
When bruxism is caused by poor bite alignment tor TMJ damage, we may recommend treatment that is designed to bring your bite into proper alignment. Additionally, some bruxism patients benefit from wearing custom-fit oral appliances at night. Not only do these appliances protect your teeth, they also guide your lower jaw into a healthy position. Finally, it may be helpful for you to replace old, ill-fitting restorations.
Now is the time to seek effective treatment for chronic dental grinding. Get more information from our Elmhurst dentists by giving our office a call, or by submitting a question for us through the Contact Us page on our site.