Teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism)

Bruxism is an oral habit of grinding or clenching teeth.  The root cause isn't always known but is often associated with stress. Patients with aggressive and frequent bruxism may wake up with sore facial muscles or headaches in the morning.  Most people are unaware that they grind their teeth unless a spouse or partner notifies them or their dentist diagnoses unusual wear patterns on their teeth consistent with the habit of grinding or clenching. In mild to moderate cases, fabrication of a custom mouthguard to wear at night solves the problem.  In severe cases where a mouthguard does not resolve the issue, you may need to see a dentist that specializes in the jaw joint. The point is not to wait till you are severely symptomatic or have ground away massive amounts of tooth structure like this picture. Schedule your appointment today to see if you are already showing wear facets on your teeth.