Teeth grinding, or bruxism, refers to excessive teeth grinding and/or jaw clenching, usually while you sleep. If you wake up with jaw pain, tension headaches, or facial pain, you may be suffering from bruxism. Some people aren’t even aware they are grinding or clenching their teeth at night until a visit to us reveals significant tooth enamel loss or damage to restorations.
The tension, stress, and anxiety you experience during the day can carry over into your sleep and cause you to grind or clench your teeth unknowingly. In all cases, regardless of the cause, frequent clenching and grinding wears down the chewing surfaces of your teeth, degrades tooth enamel, and can result in a cracked or chipped tooth, crown, or filling.