When you wake up in the morning, do your teeth feel sore, or sensitive? Do you often awaken with pain in your face or neck, or suffering from a headache? The source of these discomforts could be persistent teeth grinding, called bruxism. People with bruxism may not realize that they are grinding their teeth, and it can occur most frequently during sleep. If you are worried you might be dealing with bruxism, your dentist can help. Over time, this condition can cause damage to your teeth that may require restorative treatment.
Because your jaw can bite down with significant force, grinding can cause problems for your teeth, and your temporomandibular joints (the joints that unite your jaw and skull, also referred to as TMJs). This force can potentially crack or chip your teeth, as well as strain the muscles in your face and jaw. If your teeth become too worn down or damaged by bruxism, you may need to cover the signs of dental damage with a cosmetic treatment. Prolonged fits of teeth grinding can tax your TMJs to the point that you develop TMJ dysfunction. This condition can be painful, and can affect your ability to comfortably move your jaw.
During a routine checkup, your dentist can check your teeth for signs of bruxism. If you do suffer from this condition, you can be provided a custom-fitted mouth guard or splint to stop it from continuing. A dental crown can restore any tooth that has been seriously affected by damage from grinding.