Bruxism Signs and Symptoms

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Bruxism is an oral health condition in which you clench and grind your teeth, typically while you sleep. It can introduce a lot of issues with your teeth, such as cracking, becoming worn down, and creating tension in your temporomandibular joint. Bruxism can be caused by stress, sleep disorders, anxiety, malocclusion (or “bad bite”), teeth that are missing or crooked teeth.

Bruxism is often difficult to diagnose, because people are asleep when the clenching and grinding occurs and are therefore unaware. However, there are some waking symptoms to watch out for. These symptoms include:

-headaches
-damaged dental restorations
-damage to the inside of your cheeks
-damaged or fractured teeth
-loose permanent teeth
-teeth beginning to look flat and dull

Be aware of these signs and symptoms, and don’t hesitate to call and talk with our team at TMJ Therapy.

One condition related to bruxism is temporomandibular joint disorder, also referred to as TMJ. If you have TMJ disorder, you may notice that you wake up with a sore jaw, deal with increased tooth sensitivity or by have trouble opening or closing your mouth when you wake up.

If you suspect bruxism or TMJ disorder, speak with Dr. Carl McMillan as soon as possible for a personalized treatment plan. Be sure to set an appointment by calling TMJ Therapy in American Fork, Utah at 801-756-0900. We look forward to seeing you soon!