The term “bruxism” might sound unfamiliar, but you’ve probably heard of teeth grinding and jaw clenching, its two most common symptoms. Bruxism is often caused by stress, anxiety, allergies, or TMJ disorder and it can cause serious jaw, neck, and shoulder pain. Treating bruxism could be as simple as obtaining a custom-fitted mouthguard from your dentist. However, people living with bruxism don’t seek treatment because they just don’t know they have a problem. Understanding the signs of bruxism and seeking the help of your family dentist can help end the discomfort of teeth grinding and save your teeth from serious damage.
1. Your Jaw, Face, or Temples Hurt in the Morning
Most people with bruxism report jaw and facial soreness in the morning. Clenching your jaw is a natural evolutionary response to stress and fear. When we’re confronted with a stressful situation (for example, being chased by a hungry lion or facing down an angry boss), muscles all over your body contract in preparation to either stand your ground and fight or run away as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, ongoing stress can result in ongoing jaw clenching, which will place excessive strain on the jaw muscles, leading to soreness.
2. You Have Sensitive Teeth
Human tooth enamel is incredibly strong, but it’s not impervious to wear. Most people’s teeth wear down slowly, over the course of a lifetime. People with bruxism, whose teeth are grinding against each other throughout the night, the process is sped up. With the enamel thinned by constant wear, extreme hot and cold temperatures are easily transmitted to the sensitive, nerve-filled pulp within the tooth.
3. Your Partner Notices You Make Grinding Noises
The sound of teeth grinding can be a bit like nails raking across a chalkboard. In a person who grinds severely, this can become troublesome for the person sharing their bed. In fact, many people with bruxism remain completely unaware that they clench and grind their teeth at night until a fed up bedmate informs them of the problem.
