Bruxism Treatment in Fremont, CA
Millions of people are currently living with bruxism. If you are one of them, you know how much it can affect your day-to-day life.
Bruxism can cause major problems if you ignore it. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of bruxism, what can cause it, and the most common treatment options.
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the term used for involuntary gnashing, grinding, or clenching of your teeth. It usually happens while you are asleep, but can also become an unconscious stimuli response while you are awake.
According to the National Library of Medicine, about 5% of the general population suffers from bruxism while they are awake, and about 16% experience bruxism while asleep.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Bruxism?
The signs and symptoms of bruxism can be subtle — they can easily be written off as something else or overlooked entirely.
Symptoms include:
Tooth damage such as cracks, chips, and physical wear
Waking up with sore jaws
Frequently waking up with headaches
Sensitive teeth
Neck or ear pain
What Causes Bruxism?
The primary causes of bruxism are certain lifestyles, medications, and disorders. Some of these include:
While some signs and symptoms can be linked to other things, if you have any of them, and can relate to any of the causes above, there is a probability you might suffer from bruxism.
Treatment Options for Bruxism
In most cases, bruxism is caused by things within your control. Because of this, treatment involves facing them head-on.
Lifestyle Changes
You may be able to end bruxism and improve your overall health with certain lifestyle changes. This includes:
Reduce stress or take anxiety medicine
Reduce alcohol intake
Limiting caffeine consumption
Cutting back on nicotine use
Don’t take depression medicine within eight hours of going to sleep
Being more aware and in control of teeth grinding while you're awake
Sleeping with a mouth guard to limit tooth damage while you sleep
Medication
Depending on the cause of your bruxism, you may be able to reduce tension and anxiety enough to combat it with medication.
Talk to your dentist or doctor and see if treating bruxism with medication is the right route for you.
How to Manage Pain Caused From Bruxism
If you grind your teeth, managing jaw discomfort, neck soreness, and sensitive teeth can be a daily struggle. Here is how to manage the pain caused by bruxism.
Apply ice or heat to sore jaws
Avoid cold and hot foods and drinks
Massage neck, shoulder, and face muscles
Over-the-counter pain medicine
How to Restore Your Teeth After Bruxism Damage
Bruxism can cause a lot of damage to your teeth — all of the grinding and clenching can wear down the surface of your teeth.
If you have been suffering from bruxism long enough to have damaged your teeth, here are ways a dentist can restore them:
Crowns - Significant damage to your teeth could warrant replacing your entire crown. It allows you to have a fresh start with a fully functioning set of teeth.
Veneers - Veneers replace the enamel of your teeth. They are perfect for replacing thin, sensitive front teeth.
Onlays - Dental onlays replace a portion of your teeth known as the cusp. Grinding your teeth, especially at night, can severely damage this part of your teeth.
Problems That Can Arise From Bruxism
Many problems can arise from bruxism; some are easier to fix than others.
Get Help With Bruxism in Fremont, CA
If you’re in Fremont, CA, and you think you have bruxism, schedule an appointment to see our dentist today!