Family Dentistry of Texoma

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Signs, Damage, and How Your Dentist Can Help

Teeth grinding — clinically called bruxism — is one of those conditions that causes significant damage slowly and quietly. Many people who grind their teeth are completely unaware of it, particularly those who do it during sleep. By the time something feels noticeably wrong, years of wear may have already occurred.

Understanding the signs of bruxism and what can be done about it is the first step to protecting your teeth.

What Is Bruxism?

Bruxism is the habitual clenching, grinding, or gnashing of teeth. It falls into two categories:

• Sleep bruxism occurs during sleep and is classified as a sleep-related movement disorder. It is the more damaging of the two because it happens unconsciously and often with significantly more force than daytime activity.
• Awake bruxism involves clenching or grinding during waking hours, often in response to stress, concentration, or anxiety. People who grind while awake are more likely to catch themselves doing it.

Signs You May Be Grinding Your Teeth

Because sleep bruxism happens unconsciously, many people learn about it from a partner who hears the sound, or from a dentist who spots the wear patterns during a routine checkup. Other signs to watch for include:

• Waking up with jaw soreness, pain, or tightness
• Frequent morning headaches, particularly in the temples
• Tooth sensitivity that does not have an obvious cause
• Teeth that appear flattened, chipped, or shorter than they used to be
• Worn enamel that exposes the darker dentin layer underneath
• Indentations on the side of your tongue from pressing against the teeth
• Jaw pain or tightness that persists throughout the day
• Pain or clicking in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

What Causes Bruxism?

The exact cause is not fully understood and likely varies between individuals. Contributing factors include:

• Stress and anxiety
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Certain medications, including some antidepressants
• Caffeine and alcohol consumption
• Genetic predisposition

The Damage Bruxism Causes Over Time

Left unaddressed, chronic bruxism causes progressive damage that becomes increasingly costly to repair:

• Enamel loss. Enamel does not regenerate. Once it is worn away it is gone permanently, leaving teeth sensitive and vulnerable to decay.
• Cracked and fractured teeth. The repeated force of grinding can crack teeth, sometimes deeply enough to require a root canal or extraction.
• Failed restorations. Fillings, crowns, and veneers wear faster under grinding forces and may need earlier replacement than expected.
• TMJ disorders. The temporomandibular joint absorbs enormous stress from bruxism, leading to pain, limited jaw opening, and in severe cases chronic dysfunction.
• Gum recession. The forces involved in grinding can cause gum tissue to recede over time.

How Your Dentist Treats Bruxism

Custom Nightguard

A custom-fitted nightguard is the primary dental treatment for sleep bruxism. It is a precisely fitted oral appliance made from impressions of your teeth that creates a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth during sleep, absorbing grinding forces and preventing tooth-to-tooth contact.

Over-the-counter nightguards are available at pharmacies but are bulkier, less comfortable, and fit less precisely. A poorly fitting guard can cause jaw discomfort by holding the jaw in an unnatural position. A custom appliance from your dentist is significantly more effective for long-term use.

Addressing the Underlying Causes

Because stress is a significant driver of bruxism, stress management strategies can reduce its severity. If sleep apnea is suspected as a contributing factor, evaluation and treatment of the sleep disorder often reduces bruxism as well.

Repairing Existing Damage

If bruxism has already caused measurable damage — worn enamel, cracked teeth, failed restorations — your dentist will develop a treatment plan to address it. This might involve crowns, bonding, or in more involved cases full-mouth rehabilitation. Protecting the teeth with a nightguard going forward is essential alongside any restorative work.

The Earlier It Is Caught, the Better

The earlier bruxism is identified, the less damage accumulates and the simpler the intervention. If you are waking up with jaw pain, noticing your teeth look worn, or a partner has mentioned grinding sounds during the night, mention it at your next dental appointment — or schedule one to have it evaluated.

Call Family Dentistry of Texoma in Wichita Falls at (940) 723-0435 or request an appointment online.