Bruxism is a disorder in which a patient grinds his/her teeth or clenches his/her jaw. Without treatment, the disorder can lead to serious complications, including damaged teeth and an increased risk of decay and infection. But why do we grind our teeth? How do you stop this disorder?
Try Our Quiz on Teeth Grinding
- True or False: Stress can cause bruxism.
- True or False: Headaches could be an indicator you need treatment.
- True or False: Bruxism is sometimes linked to TMJ disorder.
- True or False: We can often treat the issue with an oral appliance.
Answer Key
- True. An increase your day-to-day anxiety levels can lead to teeth grinding. Other factors can include tooth loss, misalignment, or injury to the face or jaw. The cause of your grinding episodes will impact which treatment we recommend.
- True. Patients may experience pain in the face and jaw, as well as persistent headaches. Other symptoms can include tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, as well as toothaches. If one or more of these symptoms sound familiar, then consider scheduling an appointment to have your smile examined.
- True. The strain of bruxism on the jaw joints can lead to TMJ disorder. In addition, TMJ disorder can also make teeth grinding more likely. As a result, these two disorders are often linked. In fact, we often use oral appliances to address both.
- True. An oral appliance is worn at night and repositions the jaw to ease strain on the joints. The appliance also places a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, which prevents further damage to the teeth. We can also see if you need orthodontics or a restoration to stop grinding episodes. If you have any questions or concerns about bruxism, then please contact our office today.
Do You Grind Your Teeth?
At Vi Mai-Truong, DDS, we can use preventive dentistry to address your bruxism. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese. To schedule an appointment, call our Garland, TX office today at (972) 530-0552.
