If you have a habit of grinding your teeth throughout the day or while you sleep (bruxism), you may experience headaches or damage your teeth over time. Many people with TMJ have a teeth grinding habit and may experience severe jaw pain, neck aches or upper body aches on a daily basis. Our doctors at Absolute Smile, have extensive experience treating TMJ patients and those suffering the effects of teeth grinding in Philadelphia, PA.
Recognizing Bruxism
Do you have a bad teeth grinding habit? If you tend to clench your jaw and grind your teeth when you are angry, stressed or while you sleep, you may be wearing down your teeth without even realizing it. In some cases, excessive teeth grinding can knock the teeth out of alignment.
Common Signs of a Teeth Grinding Habit
- Worn or damaged teeth
- Very sensitive teeth
- Headaches
- Facial pain
- Small cuts or sores in the inner cheek
- Facial pain
- Extreme tightness of the jaw muscles
- Earaches
Causes of Bruxism
Whether you grind your teeth unconsciously or have adopted poor stress management habits, you can work to relieve some of the tightness and tension around the jaw. Some causes of bruxism include:
- TMD or TMJ disorder
- Health conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease
- High stress and anxiety levels
- Misaligned bite
Bite adjustment – Also known as an 