Teeth grinding, or Bruxism, is the clenching, grinding, or biting of your teeth. It can occur during the day or night, on purpose or more involuntarily. Commonly found in children, nighttime grinding and chewing on the teeth can cause sensitivity and wear on baby teeth; when adults grind their teeth, the damage is more serious. The causes of teeth grinding are uncertain, but sleeping habits, daily stress, and your bite can play a factor.

Bruxism might cause the following symptoms:

A pounding, constant headache
Tooth erosion, cracked teeth
Fractured, loose teeth
Soreness of the jaws, teeth, or gums

Since it is more difficult to control teeth grinding while asleep other issues may arise.
Symptoms can lead to temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ) after they affect the muscles and other structures around the jaw. Symptoms can also lead to worn down teeth, a misaligned bite, or any of a large list of jaw-related problems.

Treatments for biting your teeth seek to reduce pain, avoid damage to the teeth, and reduce the time spent grinding or clenching your teeth. Mouth guards or appliances, such as splints, are suggested for the prevention of long-lasting damage to the teeth.

If you are experiencing any of the warning signs of Bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching), call Dr. Angela E. Mulrooney at 403-272-0616 immediately and set up an appointment. There are numerous options readily available to resolve the issue, both for prevention and restoration. Mouthguards can help in preventing nighttime tooth chewing, while operation for crowns or bridges may be needed for teeth that have been severely injured.

While you’re waiting for your appointment, quick fixes to ease pain include curbing alcohol and caffeine, applying ice or warm water to ease soreness, relaxing and avoiding stress, and warming up your face (with a warm washcloth or steam) to relax the jaw muscles before getting to sleep.

Dr. Angela E. Mulrooney‎
700 – 2710 17 Avenue S.E.
Calgary, AB T2A 0P6
(403) 272-0616