Bruxism-What Is That?

Your jaw is designed to fit comfortably together. However over time you may find that you grind your teeth. As the surface of your teeth begin to wear down and you clench or grind, you run the risk of breaking teeth and broken teeth can make it painful to eat or drink certain items.

Grinding can be caused by multiple problems. While most people believe that grinding is only linked to stress, research suggests that if your jaw is not properly aligned or does not close correctly, it can also cause grinding. Each tooth in the upper jaw is designed to comfortably fit into the surface area of the lower jaw. If every time you close your mouth you grind, then you may begin to flatten the surface of your teeth.

If you grind your teeth at night, it may be recommended by the dentist that you wear a night guard. A night guard is a hard plastic device that fits directly into your mouth. The process is a simple one. You will visit Dr. Judith Strutz once for the molde to be made - she will take an impression of your smile in order to get the right fit, after a through exam has been conducted in order to make sure that this is truly the problem. Once the impression is complete, it will be sent to a lab in order to get the final custom appliance made.

You’ll visit a second time in order for the actual mouthpiece to be fit and then you are on your way to protecting your teeth. Don't wait any longer if you are experiencing jaw pain, or if you find yourself choking on the foods you enjoy, be assessed and see if you could benefit from some help.