Bruxism
Clenching and grinding (known as Bruxism) can cause wear and tear of your teeth and soreness in the jaw joints and jaw muscles. You may even notice pain in your shoulders and neck that can be caused by these parafunctional habits. It can also be difficult to open widely and your jaw may tend to get stuck in an open or closed position. Sometimes there can be noises such as popping, grating and clicking which may or may not be associated with pain. This group of conditions is known as Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction or TMD. TMD can be very painful and can limit your ability to chew and enjoy a normal diet. Tooth wear can also lead to tooth sensitivity, cracks, chipping and even tooth splitting with infection in severe cases. Night guards or Occlusal Splints are appliances that can be made to cover your teeth. There are many different types and designs and your dentist can help to recommend the best type for your needs. Night guards and occlusal splints can help to cover and protect your teeth against grinding and wear and also position the jaws in a way that can help relieve pressure at the jaw joints and reduce symptoms of muscle spasm, pain and dysfunction.