How Do I Know If I Brux?

Bruxism may affect the teeth, the facial muscles, the bone supporting the teeth, the jaw joints in front of the ears, and dental implants or removable dentures.

Here’s a partial list of the signs and symptoms of clenching and grinding. This is also your home evaluation for clenching and grinding. Do you have:

• Jaw joint (TMJ) awareness or discomfort. These joints are in front of the ears. This condition could be perceived as earache, and may be more prevalent upon awakening.
• Repeated headaches – dull and constant.
• Wear on teeth – chips and dings out of the front teeth and flattening of the back teeth.
• A history of fractured teeth or restorations. Pieces of teeth, filings or porcelain crowns have broken off.
• Muscles of the teeth are tender upon awaking indicating muscle activity while asleep (grinding or clenching).
• Tooth sensitivity to cold upon awaking.
• Notches forming at the gum line of some teeth – check with your fingernail.
• Increased size of facial muscles – may be a subtle change.
• Noises while sleeping that a partner may hear.
• Loose teeth – thismay be subtle.
• Inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep – due to the awareness of discomfort or pain in the muscles or joints.
• Gum damage – the gums can be hypersensitive to normal levels of plaque in bruxers.

Should you be affected by one or more of these situations a visit to your dentist is encouraged.

Yours for better dental health,

Charles Briscoe, DDS