Brux·ism /ˈbrəksizəm/ (noun) – The involuntary or habitual grinding of teeth, mainly noted during sleep.
Do you feel like you always have tension in your jaw? Do you ever catch yourself clenching your mouth during the day? Unresolved headaches? Keep reading to find out if you have a case of tight jaw syndrome otherwise known as bruxism.
Did you know that 25% of the population has been known to have bruxism at one point or another during their life? We know it’s a mouth full, no pun intended, so let’s brake it down and see what it is and how you can prevent it from causing your mouth long term problems! Most people will know bruxism more by it’s symptoms which include teeth grinding and jaw clenching but both will cause the same damage in the end. The problem may be difficult to diagnose since the consequences of these afflictions may be minimal at first since you may not even know you have a problem. Bruxism, since it is occurring during deep sleep is practically a subconscious act and is most commonly tied to semi-voluntary stress.
So how you do you know if you have bruxism? Here are the most common symptoms:
- Aching of the jaw muscles that surround your tempro-mandibular joint (or TMJ for short)
- Tenderness and fatigue in the jaw
- Grinding or clicking sounds in the jaw
- Teeth shifting and changing over time
- Sensitive teeth and gums
- Trismus, or difficulty in normal range of motion of the jaw
- Indentation or teeth marks on the tongue
- Chronic headaches
There are many ways to treat bruxism but the best overall care must be individualized to each patient. Sometimes trial and error may play a part as your dentist will have to ensure proper care for a long term solution. If you think you may suffer from such a condition, ask about it at your next dental visit. Our dental team at Strathcona Dental Works in Calgary, Alberta will help you get the relief you need!
