Waking up with a sore jaw, grinding during sleep, and clenching subconsciously while awake may all be signs of bruxism
Signs and symptoms of bruxism vary, and may also include:
- Worn teeth
- Wear facets (flat smooth areas created on the biting surfaces of the teeth as they are rubbed together repeatedly)
- Facial pain
- Tense facial and jaw muscles
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Broken restorations
- Sensitive teeth
- Headaches
- Tongue indentations
- Damage to the inside of the cheek
What can be done?
The first step is identifying the underlying cause of bruxism. It can be controlled with Oral Appliance Therapy (custom TMJ mouthguards), Botox, behavioral modification, stress or anxiety management and biofeedback, among other treatments.