Do You Think You Might Have Bruxism?
Bruxism — the clinical term for teeth grinding — affects thousands of Americans, most of whom aren’t aware because it mainly happens while we’re asleep. It can negatively impact your overall well-being, damage your teeth and bite, and disrupt your sleep. Continue reading for more information.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism, or involuntarily grinding and clenching your teeth (mostly while you sleep), can cause a lot of discomfort and pain. More often than not, we aren’t aware that we are grinding our teeth or clenching our jaw unless a partner or dentist tells us. What ends up happening is that we feel the after-effects when we are awake.
Take this quiz to see if you may be suffering from bruxism.
- Do you have any of these symptoms when you wake up in the morning?
- Headaches
- Sore jaw
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Does your jaw get sore while eating breakfast?
- Are your teeth sensitive to hot and cold?
- Do you have cracked or chipped teeth?
- Are there indentations on your tongue from biting it in your sleep?
- Is there raised tissue on the insides of your cheeks from biting?
- Do you have loose teeth?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have bruxism.
What Causes Bruxism?
We grind our teeth at night for several reasons, and it may be difficult to determine why it is happening. Some common causes are:
- High stress or anxiety
- Genetic predisposition
- Irregular sleep patterns
- Lifestyle – smoking, alcohol, caffeine, snoring
- Medications
What Should I Do If I Suspect I Have Bruxism?
There is no need for alarm. The very first thing you should do is call us and tell us about your concerns. We will schedule an appointment to determine if you do indeed have bruxism, and if you do, then we will help! We can devise a treatment plan to address your symptoms and prevent further damage to your teeth and mouth. Contact our office located in Bowie, MD to schedule an appointment, and we can get started right away.
