What is bruxism?
Bruxism is a condition where you unknowingly grind or clench your teeth. This can occur during the day as a habit or stress tick or can happen at night when you’re sleeping. Bruxism can cause damage to the teeth and jaw and should be managed as soon as it’s noticed.
What do I do if I grind my teeth?
If you grind your teeth at night, a night guard can protect your teeth and jaw from structural damage caused by the grinding. Since this happens at night, it’s uncontrollable. That is where your night guard assists. Since you can’t stop the grinding on your own, a night guard will provide a cushion in between your teeth to protect them from damage.
Does bruxism cause damage?
Severe bruxism can cause the fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. Extreme wear can also occur from teeth grinding, which can expose the nerve. Finally, teeth grinding can worsen symptoms of TMJ/TMD, and can even change the shape of your face.
If you’ve noticed signs of bruxism, give us a call at Haid Dental to schedule an appointment today. Our dentists can help troubleshoot your teeth grinding habits and can help you build a plan to protect your teeth and prevent anymore structural damage in the future. Give us a call in Dublin at 614-889-7661 or in Worthington at 614-885-2610.
