Bruxism / wearing down of teeth

Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is caused by involuntary contractions of the jaw muscles. Some people grit their teeth while others grind their teeth. Although bruxism mostly occurs at night, it can also happen during the day.

Tooth wear caused by bruxism

Erosion of your teeth’s enamel can be caused by many factors; teeth grinding is one of them. When you grind your teeth, a domino effect ensues: as your teeth’s protective layer wears out, they become more sensitive and are at a higher risk of breaking.

Other consequences:

• Broken fillings, crowns, etc.
• Headaches
• Jaw pain when waking up
• Disturbing your partner’s sleep

The causes of bruxism are not entirely clear, but stress does play an important role. Make an appointment with us and we’ll assess your risk factors and recommend the best way to prevent damage to your teeth.