Bruxism is a condition in which you grind, gnash, or clench your teeth. Teeth grinding in Bruxism can occur at any time of the day. If you have bruxism and you unconsciously clench your teeth when you are awake it is called awake bruxism and teeth clenching or grinding during sleep is called sleep bruxism.

Sleep disorders like snoring or sleep apnea can lead to sleep bruxism. Frequent and severe teeth grinding can cause jaw misalignment and can be one of the leading causes of TMD(Temporomandibular Joint Disorder).

Signs you could be suffering from Bruxism:

• The sound produced by the clenching of your teeth while you are asleep is audible to others around you.
• Sore jaw muscles.
• Increased toothache and sensitivity.
• Waking up with a headache or earache after excessive teeth grinding during sleep.
• Wear and tear of the teeth like chipped and cracked teeth due to excessive clenching and grinding of teeth.

If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above see a Dentist for a dental checkup.

Most common treatment for Bruxism is wearing Occlusal splint (night guard). The night guard fits perfectly over the lower and upper set of teeth  and creates a barrier between them. It relieves the  pressure from the jaw joints and teeth. The purpose of the splint is to keep your teeth apart, resulting in the muscles relaxing and less tension being generated. They also protect your teeth from damage caused by grinding, as they protect the teeth surface.