Do you ever find yourself experiencing pain in your mouth when you wake up in the morning? Do you ever get the feeling that maybe you’re damaging your smile as you sleep? The truth is that it may be entirely possible that your teeth and gums are being damaged through the night through a process known as bruxism. Bruxism is a condition in which you slowly grind and wear away at your teeth and gums while you sleep.

Always look for signs and symptoms that may be present in your teeth when you wake up in the mornings. Oftentimes, visual clues will begin to arise as the condition progresses. If you notice signs of flat or worn teeth, it may be linked to bruxism. Also, stay alert for any signs of fractures or chips that have no other reasonable explanation. If for any reason your enamel wears down to the point that holes begin to develop, you will experience an increase in tooth sensitivity.

Other common risk factors of bruxism include pains or soreness throughout your facial area. This can include tight jaw muscles, face pain, earaches and headaches and a general soreness within your head, neck or face area. In addition, any cheek tissue damage that you notice or indentations on your tongue could be signs of bruxism. If you have a sleep partner or roommate, ask them to do a small study of you while you sleep to determine if they notice any peculiar signs of you grinding or clenching your teeth. Oftentimes, this is done loud enough that individuals close by will be able to hear it.

Campbell Dental Care wants to help you with bruxism treatments. To schedule an appointment at our office in Campbell, California, please call us at 408-364-1122. Dr. Catalina Phan and our team look forward to improving your smile.