TMD, Grinding and Jaw Pain

Bruxism is when you clench (biting your top and bottom teeth together) or grind (sliding your teeth back and forth over each other) your teeth. In some cases, this can cause significant pain and dysfunction of the jaw joint. Bruxism & grinding can result in excessive wear of the teeth causing sensitivity, pain and loss of otherwise healthy tooth structure.

Clenching the teeth puts pressure on the muscles, tissues, and other structures around your jaw. People can either be acutely aware or unaware of this habit and it can happen during both the day and night. Nocturnal (sleep) related bruxism can also be linked to other medical issues and is best assessed by your dentist.

Some likely causes of bruxism are (but not limited to):

  • Physical stress such as illness, nutritional deficiencies, or dehydration
  • Psychological stress, anxiety, and tension
  • Undiagnosed/untreated dental disease
  • Misaligned teeth
  • Recreational drug habits

If you experience jaw pain or headaches, please let our dentist know so that we can help.

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