Bruxism: Essential Facts You Need to Know
If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw at night while you sleep, you are suffering from a condition called bruxism. Teeth grinding affects up to 40 million adults and children in the United States alone. The habit can develop at any age, and symptoms may even occur when you’re awake. You may unconsciously clench your teeth together when concentrating, driving, reading, or writing. During sleep, the condition causes rhythmic contractions of the jaw.
Signs of Bruxism
- Rhythmic contraction of jaws at night
- Persistent facial pain
- Tight or sore jaw muscles
- Grinding noise during sleep
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain or dysfunction
- Shoulder and neck pain or stiffness
- Excessive wear of tooth enamel
- Ear pain
- Headache
- Jaw swelling
Teeth Grinding Triggers
The following conditions and habits may cause you to grind your teeth:
- Stress and anxiety
- Depression
- Stressful work environment
- Excessive caffeine intake
- Smoking
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea
Get Advanced Treatment from an Affordable Dentist
Occlusal appliances and mandibular advancement devices are the two main types of treatments employed by affordable dentists. Occlusal appliances are custom-made devices that fit over your top or bottom row of teeth and are worn while you sleep; these include splints, bite guards, and bite plates. Mandibular advancement devices fit over your top and bottom teeth. They work by gradually repositioning the jaw forward and are recommended when sleep apnea is likely the cause of tooth grinding. When symptoms are due to stress, behavioral management or psychotherapy can also help. If you want to stop grinding your teeth and prevent further damage to your tooth enamel and jaw, seek out an affordable dentist for help. The dentists Northern New Jersey trusts can recommend the best treatment to help manage the condition.
To learn about our family dentistry practice in Northern New Jersey, call Garden State Dental today or make an appointment.
Garden State Dental offers affordable family dentistry and gentle, compassionate dental care in Northern New Jersey. With 4 affiliated practices throughout Northern New Jersey, our offices are conveniently located with extended hours to meet your needs. At Garden State Dental, we provide most dental services, from basic preventative care and general dentistry to specialized procedures and complete dental reconstruction. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Patient satisfaction is our top priority and we strive to provide the exceptional, affordable dental care and personal touch that lead to lasting relationships. A smiling patient is our greatest reward and we look forward to keeping those smiles healthy, beautiful, and bright. Discover an affordable dentist who truly cares at Garden State Dental.
