Grinding, disturbed bite and TMJ

You may not realize that you have a condition called “bruxism,” means a habit of grinding or clenching the teeth. Many people are unaware that they grind their teeth because they do it during night while they sleep. Grinding and clenching often occurs in the early part of the night and can disturb sleep partners. The clenching and grinding may be even audible. Others make no sound while bruxing their teeth and do not realize they are doing it. The dentist however can discovers unusual wear spots or surfaces on their teeth. Bruxism may be mild and occasional or intense and more frequent. People who grind or clench their teeth may wake with a headache, earache or toothache. Beside soreness of their facial muscles and tenderness of the jaw joints causing discomfort or even pain , grinding can eventually damage or loosen dental restorations and may weaken teeth. Bruxism also can cause damage to the TMJ (temporomandibular joints) the joints on each side of the mouth that attaches the lower jaw to our skull.

The pressure and load from clenching and grinding can result in cracks or fractures in the teeth or restorations. Once the tooth enamel is worn away, the underlying layer of dentin may be exposed. This causes the tooth to become sensitive. The causes of bruxism are not really known, however several factors may be involved. Stressful jobs, sleeping problems, a disturbed bite and crooked or missing teeth may contribute or initiate it. Regular oral checks are important to detect damage in the early stages. Your dentist may suggest a night guard that can be worn while sleeping. There are different form of Mouth guards which are made for different problems. They are custom-made by the dental laboratories based on dentist prescriptions.