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Last week we spoke about TMJ issues. Teeth grinding can go hand-in-hand with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Bruxism (the clinical name for teeth grinding) can be a subconscious reaction to stress and anxiety. Or it can be the result of a misaligned bite or crooked teeth. Fortunately, the solution to teeth grinding is often as simple as a customized mouthguard from your Moreno Valley dentists at Dental Associates of Moreno Valley. Just for fun, try your hand at this true-or-false quiz on bruxism.

Answers

Q1. True or false: Bruxism is the clinical term for grinding teeth.

Q2. True or false: Most cases of teeth grinding occur during stressful moments like work, taking a test, or being stuck in traffic.

Q3. True or false: Teeth grinding is harmless, if only a little bit irritating.

Q4. True or false: Chewing gum exacerbates teeth grinding.

Answers

A1. TRUE – Bruxism is the medical term for the act of clenching and grinding your teeth together.

A2. FALSE – Teeth grinding most often happens while you sleep. This is unfortunate because you may not realize you are a victim of bruxism until you present with real and damaging side effects such as worn down teeth or jaw pain.

A3. FALSE – When you grind your teeth together for extended periods of time, your tooth enamel can get worn away leaving your teeth open to decay and possible deeper cracks and breaks. By grinding your teeth for hours each night not only can the enamel be damaged, but the dentin can start to diminish leaving you with stubby and unhealthy teeth that will need to be restored.

A4. TRUE – If you have a tendency to chew gum to excess, you could irritate your muscles leading to grinding as a sort of relief of tension. Caffeine and alcohol have also been known to contribute to teeth grinding.

Help for Bruxism from Moreno Valley Dentist

If you suspect that you grind your teeth, we can possibly help with a customized mouthguard. If you are in need of any of our comprehensive dentistry services, contact your dentists in Moreno Valley. To schedule an appointment at our 92533 dentist office, contact us at (951) 697-6800.