Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) Night Sleeping Guards
Bruxism is a condition where a person clenches the jaw or grinds the teeth. The word “bruxism” is a Greek word that means “gnashing of the teeth.” The condition can range from very mild and non-problematic to severe and causing more severe problems. Many people grind their teeth at night and do not know. Most people will have the condition even if mild at some point during their lives. Damage to the teeth requiring bridges, crowns and root canals can occur as well as more pervasive health issues such as TMJ, hearing loss and damage to the jaw.
The cause of the condition is unknown, however, doctors feel that it can be caused by stress, an overbite, development of the mouth (children), diet, sleep cycles, another disease such as Parkinson’s disease or a side effect of medications. Many people do not know that they have bruxism until many years after the habit has begun. The disease is called a habit since it a repetitive movement that is not considered unconscious. Some symptoms to help determine if someone has the disorder are:
- Painful or sore jaw area
- Headache
- Eating disorder
- Facial pain
- Misalignment of the bite pattern
- Depression
- Earache (possibly causing TMJ)
- Stress or tension
- Difficulty with sleep cycle
- Depression or anxiety
- Indentations on the tongue
- Tissue that has been chewed on the inside of the cheek
- Worn tooth enamel that looks flattened or chipped
- Tooth sensitivity
- Teeth grinding noise especially audible to others
