10 E. State St., Lehi, UT 84043 Are your teeth suffering because of the effects of bruxism? What is bruxism, anyway? This is a common condition experienced by patients who are under stress and unconsciously relieve this stress by grinding or clenching their teeth while they sleep. This can be devastating to your smile because the force of this chewing is three to ten times greater than when you are chewing mindfully. Not only that but chewing with food provides a softer buffer between the teeth. During bruxism, your teeth are experiencing the full force of the jaw with no buffer in between them.
During bruxism, your teeth are experiencing the full force of the jaw with no buffer in between them. The result is wear and tear on your pearly whites and damage to tooth enamel. If bruxism is severe, it may reduce enough enamel to expose the layer of dentin beneath.
Signs that you may be clenching and grinding your teeth while you sleep include the following:
— Dull headaches when you wake up in the morning.
—Â Muscle soreness in your jaw.
— Muscle pain from the jaw to the ear.
— Tooth sensitivity and worn tooth enamel.
— Cracks or chips in your teeth.
— Sore tissue in the cheeks from biting.
— Indentations in the tongue from biting.
If you exhibit any of the signs above, you may be experiencing the effects of bruxism. To find out more, we invite you to speak with Dr. Ferrell and our Center Creek Dental team in Lehi, Utah, by calling 801-766-3700. We will do our best to help you in any way we can.