As the new year approaches, so can major stress. Dentists often see more patients in these high-stress times more than ever. Why? Well because, Bruxism.

Now you’re probably wondering- “What is Bruxism?”

Bruxism is just a fancy word for clenching and grinding of teeth. And if you have a tendency to clench, you do it more in times of stress. Of course, there are other reasons people clench and grind, but stress is a huge one. If your stress is off the charts, call Scottsdale Serenity Smiles dental office. You may just want a nightguard to protect your teeth!
Do I Really Grind my Teeth?

Many people who grind and clench their teeth don’t realize that they do it. Often it takes a broken tooth, an observer, or a dentist to realize it is happening.
If you notice any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from bruxism:

• Worn, chipped, broken teeth
• Exposure of tooth layers and loss of enamel
• Flattened tooth surfaces
• Tooth sensitivity
• Damaged mouth tissue
• Jaw pain
• Headache and facial pain
• Earache from jaw muscle tension and contraction
• A scalloped tongue or irregular tongue edges

Now What Causes Tooth Grinding and Clenching?

We have already mentioned stress, but there are other things that could compound your risk or cause tooth grinding and clenching even if you are a super-relaxed person.

These causes include:

• Sleep disorders
• Acid reflux
• Stress, tension, or anxiety
• Misaligned jaw or poor bite alignment
• As a side effect of some medications

What Can I do to Protect my Teeth?

At our dental office Serenity Smiles in Scottsdale, we want to help protect your smile. We offer comfortable, custom-fitted mouthguards to ease the pain of clenching and grinding and keep your teeth – and your precious restorations – strong and intact. Give us a call today and find relief!