Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Did you know that you grinding your teeth could be damaging not only your teeth but your jaw, the muscles around your head and neck and even having an impact on your back?
Teeth Grinding, also known as bruxism, can cause excessive wear and tear on the teeth in a short period of time. In turn, this could lead to hyper-sensitive teeth and in extreme cases can lead to root fillings or restorative dentistry if the grinding continues. These habits can also weaken teeth and cause chipping which also has a massive impact on the cosmetic appearance of your teeth. If left untreated, teeth grinding can ultimately lead to breakdown of the entire dentition, jaw pain, headaches, loss of sleep, and other TMJ disorders.

What is bruxism?

If you grind or clench your teeth either at night or during the day then you would be considered a bruxist. You may not do this intentionally but you can still end up damaging your teeth, gums and surrounding jaw area.

Bruxism can be caused by:

• Stress and anxiety - If a person is anxious or having severe stress, they can subconsciously grind while they are sleeping.
• Medicines – mood changing drugs (like anti-depressants) can have bruxism as an associated side effect
• Misalignment of the teeth or jaw - If you have an abnormal bite when your lower and upper teeth come together, it is more likely for you to grind your teeth.
• Lifestyle – We are not here to judge, but if you drink alcohol, take drugs, or smoke, you are more likely to grind your teeth

Teeth grinding and jaw clenching can cause varying degrees of pain and discomfort.

How can I prevent grinding my teeth?

At Ascent Dental Care Malvern, we can provide bespoke, laboratory constructed oral devices that are worn while you sleep, that have been developed to help stop you grinding and to protect your teeth and restorations form further damage.

Mouth Splint – Splints are made out of a hard, plastic material and will fit over the lower/upper teeth.

Mouth Guard – Made from a flexible rubber (like a gum shield) and will cover your teeth while you sleep.

Answer these few questions to find out if you are a Bruxist:

• Do you suffer from jaw ache which is often worse first thing in the morning?
• Does your partner notice that you grind your teeth during the night?
• Do you suffer from headaches and are yet to discover the underlying cause?
• Do you have excessive wear on your teeth?
• Do you break or chip your teeth for no apparent reason?

If you answered ‘yes’ to two or more of these questions, you may be a Bruxist.