Bruxism (tooth grinding), if left untreated, can cause damage to your teeth by wearing down enamel, weakening crowns and fillings, creating sensitivity, and causing jaw pain. In more severe cases, bruxism can even cause fractured, chipped, or permanent tooth loss, increasing the risk of tooth decay. In the event that you are grinding on a nightly basis, your dentist will perform a thorough exam of your teeth, cheeks, and gums as a part of our general dental services to determine the severity of the grinding and if you would benefit from the use of a custom-made nightguard. Depending on the severity of the damage caused by grinding, we may recommend treatment services for repairing the damage before we fit you for a bruxism nightguard.
Some of the most common signs of tooth grinding are:
- Painful or stiff jaw
- Sensitive, loose, or broken teeth
- Sore gums
- Sores on the insides of your cheeks
- A popping sound in the jaw joint
- Morning headaches
- Worn-down teeth
- Fatigue caused by restless sleep