HOW COMMON IS TEETH GRINDING (BRUXISM)?

Many people are actually surprised to learn teeth grinding, or Bruxism is more common than they think. Most people do not even notice they have a problem since the grinding occurs while sleeping. One indication there is a problem is when they grind too hard that it is loud enough to wake them up. 

Other potential symptoms of teeth grinding can include:

• Waking up and noticing your jaw muscles and jaw feels tight, painful, or sore.
• Experiencing minor facial pain upon waking.
• Noticing some of your teeth appear to be chipped, cracked or damaged.
• Noticing a filling is missing.
• Slight soreness, redness and minor bleeding of the gums near the base of the teeth.
• Waking up frequently with headaches.
• Noticing your teeth have become more sensitive to hot and cold.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see your dentist as soon as possible. Your dentist can help determine the underlying cause for your Bruxism. For example, high levels of stress and anxiety can be a trigger that causes nighttime teeth grinding. Read more here...