Teeth grinding is a common condition affecting many patients.
"Bruxism is when you tooth grinding is not a normal pattern -- when you're either crunching or grinding your teeth together not to chew, rub your teeth together," says Dr. Puskas.
It most often happens at night, when people sleep. Most aren't even aware of the habit until they start feeling the symptoms.
"Generalized tooth pain...It could be jaw pain, headaches, difficulty opening, sometimes you'll hear noise, or discomfort in the TMJ," Dr. Puskas says.
Left untreated, it can lead to worn down, flattened or chipped teeth. Dentists recommend a custom-made mouth guard that is worn at night, and it doesn't take long for dentists or patients to notice the difference.
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