A dentist or a dental hygienist can take a quick look inside your mouth and tell you whether you clench and grind your teeth in your sleep. We often find that patients are skeptical that we can glean this information from just a brief examination, but our diagnoses are much less like palm reading or interpreting tea leaves than it may seem. Here’s what we’re seeing when we look in your mouth:
Bruxism is the medical term for clenching and grinding your teeth, and it can leave visible signs on your teeth. The repetitive stress of the grinding motion can cause teeth to get worn down, starting with the hard outer enamel layer and getting down to the softer dentin layer as the damage progresses. People who have been grinding for a long time usually have teeth that are shorter with a flattened appearance along the edges, as if the teeth have all been trimmed to be the same length. Severe cases of bruxism can even lead to cracked or broken teeth, especially in people who have already had teeth repaired with a crown.
Tension headaches can be caused by bruxism. All the pressure from the constantly tight jaw can build up and cause pain. Patients who report waking up with headaches on a regular basis may clench and grind in their sleep. Using a nightguard each night might reduce or eliminate these headaches completely.
Believe it or not, clenching and grinding can actually change the shape of your bone. Though not particularly common, some people with bruxism develop bony growths on the inside of their lower jaw, under the tongue. These growths are called mandibular tori, and they are harmless and benign. However, their presence can indicate to the dentist that you clench and grind, even if you don’t have any of the other signs and symptoms mentioned above.
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