Understanding Bruxism: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Have you ever awakened with a sore jaw and wondered why? If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, whether you’re awake or not, you may suffer from a condition known as bruxism. Bruxism can affect people of any age and shouldn’t be ignored. So, whether you think you have bruxism or not, you should know the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available from your Fort Collins dentist.

What Causes Bruxism?

Several different factors can cause bruxism, including the following:

Physical

If your teeth are not properly aligned, you may be prone to involuntary grinding.

Physiological

If you have Huntington’s or Parkinson’s disease, bruxism could be a complication of your disease.

Psychological

If you have anxiety or stress, you may grind your teeth or clench your jaw.

Medication

If you take certain types of medication, you might be more likely to get bruxism.

Sleep

If you have obstructive sleep apnea or some other sleep disorder, you are more likely to develop bruxism.

Lifestyle

If you smoke, drink, or use recreational drugs, you may experience bruxism as a result.

Symptoms and Treatment Options

The symptoms of bruxism include the following:

  • Worn tooth enamel
  • Flat, broken, or chipped teeth
  • Headache or earache
  • Sore jaw and facial muscles
  • Sore neck and shoulder muscles
  • Tooth sensitivity
  • Trouble opening your mouth

Depending on what is causing your bruxism, your Fort Collins dentist can recommend different treatment options. If a misaligned bite is causing your bruxism, they may be able to correct your bite with orthodontics, crowns, or fillings. However, if stress is the cause of your bruxism, you may need to learn coping mechanisms or seek therapy.

If your bruxism is involuntary, we can create an occlusal splint or nightguard that fits over your teeth. When you’re sleeping, this mouthguard will help relieve the tension on your jaw joints by keeping your upper and lower teeth from coming into contact with each other.

Looking for Bruxism Treatment in Fort Collins?

If you need bruxism treatment and you live in Fort Collins or the surrounding area, Centre Family Dentistry is ready to take your call! We can assess your oral health needs and create a treatment plan that works for you. Please get in touch with our dental office at (970) 407-1001 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Related Service:

Understanding Bruxism: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Have you ever awakened with a sore jaw and wondered why? If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, whether you’re awake or not, you may suffer from a condition known as bruxism. Bruxism can affect people of any age and shouldn’t be ignored. So, whether you think you have bruxism or not, you should know the causes, symptoms, …

Have you ever awakened with a sore jaw and wondered why? If you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, whether you’re awake or not, you may suffer from a condition known as bruxism. Bruxism can affect people of any age and shouldn’t be ignored. So, whether you think you have bruxism or not, you should know the causes, symptoms, and treatment options available from your Fort Collins dentist.

What Causes Bruxism?

Several different factors can cause bruxism, including the following:

Physical

If your teeth are not properly aligned, you may be prone to involuntary grinding.

Physiological

If you have Huntington’s or Parkinson’s disease, bruxism could be a complication of your disease.

Psychological

If you have anxiety or stress, you may grind your teeth or clench your jaw.

Medication

If you take certain types of medication, you might be more likely to get bruxism.

Sleep

If you have obstructive sleep apnea or some other sleep disorder, you are more likely to develop bruxism.

Lifestyle

If you smoke, drink, or use recreational drugs, you may experience bruxism as a result.

Symptoms and Treatment Options

The symptoms of bruxism include the following:

  • Worn tooth enamel
  • Flat, broken, or chipped teeth
  • Headache or earache
  • Sore jaw and facial muscles
  • Sore neck and shoulder muscles
  • Tooth sensitivity
  • Trouble opening your mouth

Depending on what is causing your bruxism, your Fort Collins dentist can recommend different treatment options. If a misaligned bite is causing your bruxism, they may be able to correct your bite with orthodontics, crowns, or fillings. However, if stress is the cause of your bruxism, you may need to learn coping mechanisms or seek therapy.

If your bruxism is involuntary, we can create an occlusal splint or nightguard that fits over your teeth. When you’re sleeping, this mouthguard will help relieve the tension on your jaw joints by keeping your upper and lower teeth from coming into contact with each other.

Looking for Bruxism Treatment in Fort Collins?

If you need bruxism treatment and you live in Fort Collins or the surrounding area, Centre Family Dentistry is ready to take your call! We can assess your oral health needs and create a treatment plan that works for you. Please get in touch with our dental office at (970) 407-1001 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Related Service: