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 at Riverside Dental Group, will explain the basics of bruxism, and how you can treat the problem before your good dental health grinds to a halt.

Bruxism Defined

Regular grinding or clenching of your teeth will cause tension in your mouth and jaw which can lead to headaches, soreness, loose teeth, earaches, and fractured teeth. Long term bruxism patients often end up irritating their temporomandibular joints, potentially developing a condition called TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder). Many factors can be involved in the development of teeth grinding.

Causes may include:

  • Misaligned teeth
  • Missing teeth
  • Abnormal bite
  • Chronic stress
  • Anxiety
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

Conquering Bruxism

Over time, in addition to the above mentioned unpleasant symptoms and conditions, regular bruxism can actually wear away tooth enamel. When that hard layer of protection on the outside of your teeth is infiltrated, tooth decay is going to be in your near future without treatment. Regardless of the length of time it might take for a cavity to set in, any unidentified tension or soreness in your jaw and mouth that lasts longer than a week or two should warrant an immediate appointment with your Riverside dentists. Even if you are unaware of your bruxism, we will be able to detect signs at your regular bi-annual checkups. Mouthguards and splints are two treatment options that will protect your teeth from clenching and grinding when you sleep.

Bruxism Help from Riverside Dentists

Neglecting your dental health can add more stress to your life. Keep up with checkups and cleanings twice a year so that your teeth remain healthy. To schedule a checkup and cleaning with your Riverside dentists, call our 92504 dentist office at (951) 689-5031. We offer comprehensive dentistry to patients of all ages in Riverside and surrounding areas.