When a patient clenches, gnashes, or grinds their teeth, this is called bruxism. It can happen unconsciously when you’re awake (awake bruxism), or at night during sleep (sleep bruxism). The former is often a minor issue for patients, but it can still damage their teeth. Sleep bruxism, however, can be more serious and is considered a sleep-related movement disorder. It is associated with other sleep disorders like snoring and even sleep apnea. And for some patients, bruxism is frequent and severe enough to cause jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth, and other complications. All this is why bruxism requires professional care.

Patients can be unaware of sleep bruxism until complications occur. Before this happens, you should understand the signs and symptoms of bruxism which include:

• Teeth grinding, gnashing, or clenching
• Flattened, fractured, chipped, or loose teeth, or worn tooth enamel
• Significant tooth sensitivity or pain
• Tight jaw muscles or a locked jaw
• Jaw, neck, or facial pain, or pain that feels like it’s an earache
• A dull headache around the temples
• On the inside of your cheek, marks from chewing it
• Disruptions in sleep

If you’ve been experiencing any or many of the symptoms above, then you’ll want to speak with a dentist about it. We are especially qualified to help here at Beyond Dental and Implant Center.

Although dentists don’t entirely understand the precise causes of bruxism, they believe physical, psychological, and genetic factors are involved. Awake bruxism may be caused by anxiety, stress, anger, or tension, and sleep bruxism may be caused by arousals during sleep. Age, medications, and other factors may be involved too. When you come see us here at Beyond Dental and Implant Center, our dentist will perform a thorough examination to determine how to treat your particular case of bruxism.

Many patients benefit from treatment for their bruxism. A mouth guard (or night guard) can keep teeth separated, preventing grinding altogether. Often this is the most effective treatment for patients, especially patients with sleep apnea or a TMJ disorder as well, which are also treated with the mouth guard. Some patients will benefit a great deal from dental correction. For instance, a patient with significant tooth wear might need a crown to repair the damage. Here at Beyond Dental and Implant Center, we’re fully capable of providing these treatments and others, so if you suspect you’re grinding your teeth excessively, reach out to us today.

Yes, we do. We have a clinic located over at 9500 Ray White Rd Suite 105 Fort Worth, TX 76244. To book a consultation with us at this location, please call us or book with us online. If you suspect that a young or elderly member of your family is experiencing bruxism, then we can definitely help him or her, as we accept child and senior patients too. We serve patients from Fort Worth TX, Dallas TX, Cockrell Hill TX, Mesquite TX, Highland Park TX, Forest Hill TX, Saginaw TX, and White Settlement TX.

Contact us today here at Beyond Dental and Implant Center for teeth grinding treatment that works.