Are you waking up in the morning with a headache? Do you have radiating jaw pain? Then, you may be suffering from bruxism. This is a common medical condition characterized by involuntary and abnormal clenching or grinding of your teeth. 

Monterey Park, CA dentist is a highly experienced and trained specialist who provides compassionate care for diagnosing and treating bruxism.  

What is bruxism?

An involuntary clenching or grinding of your teeth, especially during sleep, is known as bruxism. This could probably occur when you are awake (awake bruxism) or during your sleep (sleep bruxism). Occasional teeth grinding is considered normal, but persistent clenching is a cause of concern and should not be ignored. Bruxism is considered a common sleep problem with a prevalence of 10% among adults and 15% among children. 

Excess teeth grinding can cause some serious dental issues, such as:

• Wearing down of teeth
• Fractured or mobile teeth
• Damage to your TMJ, jaw
• Strained neck muscles
• Tooth loss
• Aesthetic problems due to changes in your facial profile

What causes bruxism? 

Bruxism has multiple causes to it that are different in adults and children.

Causes in adults 

• Sleep disorders
• Stress and anxiety
• Unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking and alcoholism
• Consumption of recreational drugs and excess caffeine 
• Certain medications like anti-anxiety drugs 

Causes in children 

• Malaligned teeth
• Pain such as earache
• Stress 
• Medical conditions like hyperactivity or cerebral palsy

What are the symptoms of bruxism?

Teeth grinding can be manifested by the following signs and symptoms:

• Headaches 
• TMJ pain 
• Pain radiating to the ears 
• Gnawing and constant tooth pain, especially after waking up
• Wearing down the tooth enamel
• Jaw pain while chewing 
• Clicking or popping sounds around the TMJ
• Jaw stiffness (lockjaw)
• Myofascial pain
• Highly sensitive teeth 
• Tooth indentations 

How is bruxism treated?  

Here are some common ways in which bruxism is treated:

• Conservative methods 
  • Relaxation exercises
  • Stress management techniques like yoga

• Mouthguards/Nightguards
  • These are acrylic appliances that help to minimize the abrasive action of tooth surfaces during sleep.
  • They also help stabilize the occlusion and prevent damage to the teeth and TMJ.

• NTI-tss device
  • This device is designed to fit your front teeth, preventing the abnormal grinding of the rear molars by limiting the contraction of the temporalis muscle.

• Botox injections 
  • This is an excellent neuromodulator that aids in the relaxation of the facial muscles that have been weakened due to bruxism.

• Other treatments 
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Physical therapy  

Keynote

Bruxism is a common condition inflicted by children and adults of any age group. An unhealthy lifestyle, stress, and anxiety are the main culprits behind this condition. Early detection is crucial and paves the way for an effective and optimal treatment outcome. This can significantly improve your quality of sleep and life.