Signs & symptoms of bruxism
Most people who have bruxism are not aware of the problem they have because either they have no apparent symptoms, or their symptoms are not understood as a part of their bruxism.
People with night bruxism have their symptoms worse immediately when they are awake then it fades slowly during the day while people who grind their teeth while they are awake have worse symptoms throughout the day or it might not present.
Bruxism causes many signs & symptoms including but not limited to:
- Teeth pain & excessive attrition because of keep grinding occlusal surfaces of the teeth
- Teeth hyper-sensitivity due to wearing tooth enamel & dentin exposure (sharp pain especially when drinking cold beverages)
- Periodontal diseases: It might lead to pain on biting or even in advanced cases to loosen the tooth
- Grinding or clenching sounds which are mostly noticed by bed partners or parents. These sounds might be so loud that affects the sleep of others.
- Muscles pain, tenderness & swelling especially muscles that cause jaw movement like masseter muscle.
- TMJ disorders like pain, swelling or clicking sounds
- Headaches because of muscle pain related with the temporalis muscle.
- Fillings, crowns & teeth breakage or chipping due to continuous grinding of teeth which applies an extra occlusal force on teeth.