• Occlusion – the position of the teeth when the jaws are closed.
• Malocclusion – the incorrect position of the teeth when the jaws are closed.
• Stress.

What can happen with severe bruxism?

Headaches
A persistent Bruxer can suffer headaches, similar to migraines. As Bruxism can be most severe when the person is asleep, headaches upon waking are not uncommon.

Sore face & jaw muscles
Two muscles in particular can become sore. These are the muscles which can be located in the temple, and in the lower jaw just in front and below of the jaw joint.

TMJ dysfunction
The Temporal Mandibular Joint i.e. the jaw hinge can be affected by Bruxism, and the muscles surrounding this area can go into spasm – or muscle ’shock’. In severe cases, a patient is unable to open their mouth.

Wearing of teeth
Teeth were not designed to be ground away all night long, every night. Therefore, they start to wear away. As you only get one set of adult teeth, it’s best not to wear them out prematurely.

Fracture of teeth
Following excess wear, the teeth may develop signs of micro-fractures. This may lead to parts of the teeth fracturing. These fractures could eventually spread down to the nerve which would require root canal treatment.

How can a teeth grinding guard help?
To help eliminate the symptoms listed above, the patient can wear a teeth grinding/bruxism guard. The guard is made from a similar material to a sports mouthguard. Some people call these night guards, but Bruxism can occur at other times of the day too. As an example, a sales rep might start grinding his/her teeth in busy traffic. Whenever this occurs the patient must wear their guard.

Does a mouthguard stop grinding?
It won’t necessarily stop the grinding, but it helps to eliminate the symptoms. Think of wearing a shoe with a nail in the sole. This is uncomfortable and sometimes painful. However, if you put an insole into the shoe, the nail is still there but the symptoms have gone.

Tooth sensitivity is a short sharp pain felt when the tooth is exposed to hot/cold and sweet/sour food or drink. In extreme cases just exposure to cold air can cause pain for people with sensitive teeth. The sensitivity occurs because the enamel of the tooth has been worn down and the dentin is left exposed.

There are many causes of tooth sensitivity, the most common are

• Bruxism – teeth grinding
• Loose or missing fillings/crowns
• Cracked Tooth
• Gum Disease
• Gum Recession
• Plaque
• Vigorous abrasive brushing
• Teeth Whitening
• Acidic Foods

Preventing and treating tooth sensitivity is easy with the many products available.

• Use a desensitizing toothpaste such as Sensodyne 
• Use a flouride mouthwash .
• Avoid frequent intakes of acidic foods.
• Wear a nightguard if your sensitvity is caused by grinding your teeth.
• Use a toothbrush with soft bristles.
• Brush your teeth gently.

You should visit your dentist if you experience tooth sensitivity so that they can recommend the best treatment whether over the counter or surgical.

What is that smell coming from my mouth in the morning?  This is a common question and the answer is another form of dry mouth.  The best way to fix this problem is by removing the excess plaque and bacteria that has formed overnight.  Once this is completed, the normal saliva flow will increase and start cleansing the mouth again.  If you use mouthwash alone in the morning, the condition will temporarily improve, only to return later.  The source of the odor must be removed before you use any mouthwash.

There are a number of other factors contributing to bad breath.  These include the type of food you eat, whether or not you smoke, and your heredity.  Some people are predisposed to have bad breath while others simply eat foods that are full of garlic or spice.  When you smoke, it increases your risk of periodontal disease.  The onset of periodontal disease increases the number of bacteria in your mouth which in turn will cause bad breath.  To avoid periodontal disease, it’s important to have a rigid oral health regimen.  This includes brushing your teeth, gums, the surface of your tongue and your entire mouth in general!  After you’ve brushed for at least 2-3 minutes, make sure you floss around the gumline.  This is where the plaque hides out most of the time.  Finally, make sure you get professional cleanings every 6 months.  This will ensure that you keep up to date on your oral health and your breath stays fresh!