Bruxism – Teeth Grinding

Bruxism, known more commonly as tooth grinding

Bruxism, known more commonly as tooth grinding, is often viewed as an annoying but harmless habit. The reality is that grinding your teeth can literally change your bite and significantly damage your jaws and teeth over time.

When you grind your teeth, you cause abrasions on the teeth’s chewing surface. Over time, this abnormal wear and tear loosens your teeth and prematurely ages them, leaving them susceptible to problems like hypersensitivity. Bruxism can also cause headaches and chronic pain in your jaw and face.

There is no cure for bruxism, but the first step to managing the condition is having an examination with your dentist. If you grind your teeth, Dr. Lu will check for signs of gum tissue and dental abnormalities that may have been caused by bruxism and look for tenderness in your jaw muscles.

After uncovering the cause of your bruxism, Dr. Lu will recommend the best and most comfortable treatment to save your teeth and oral health. For some patients, a custom-fitted mouthguard is needed to protect the teeth, but other patients benefit from orthodontics or occlusal therapy. Some patients find positive results from NTI-tss devices, oral appliances that cover the front teeth and limit tooth grinding by controlling the contractions of the muscles in your jaw.

People grind their teeth for many reasons, but there is no good reason to continue wearing down your teeth and suffering from the effects of bruxism. If you grind your teeth, contact Dr. Lu today to restore your dental health and protect your teeth so can achieve optimal wellness.