Did you know that clenching your teeth, which is also known as bruxism, can occur while you’re sleeping or when you’re awake? Many people clench their teeth without realizing what they’re doing. This is especially problematic because you may clench your teeth while you’re sleeping.Â
There are a number of issues you may have to deal with if you have bruxism. For instance, your enamel could wear down, which may leave you more vulnerable to tooth decay. Furthermore, clenching your teeth could lead to tension headaches or even migraines. Similarly, clenching your teeth could lead to chipped or fractured teeth. Over time, with severe bruxism, you could actually lose all of your teeth.
If you grind your teeth, you may have frequent, dull headaches or sore muscles in your mouth and face muscles. You may also experience pain in your ear, or even damage your cheeks. Similarly, you could cause and find painful indentations on your tongue. Â Â
Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to address bruxism—though your solution will depend on the source of your problem. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to address the issue. Often, a custom night guard will be the solution our team recommends, though having teeth realigned may work as well. Â
If you’re interested in learning more about bruxism, please feel free to give Chamberland Dentistry at 931-684-9167. Drs. Chamberland, Barnes, White, and Shear will be happy to answer any questions you may have. We are always happy to help our patients with all of their oral care needs!
