Bruxism is clenching or grinding your teeth. Most people are not even aware that they are doing this.
There are two main types of bruxism: that which occurs during sleep (nocturnal bruxism) and that which occurs during wakefulness (awake bruxism).
Dental damage may be similar in both types, but the symptoms of sleep bruxism tend to be worse on waking and improve during the course of the day, and the symptoms of awake bruxism may not be present at all on waking, and then worsen over the day.
In both children and adults, tooth damage related to bruxism can be prevented.
The usual method is to wear a night bite plate or a bite splint (a dental appliance worn at night to stop teeth grinding).
Wearing a bite splint also can help relieve pressure on facial muscles and the jaw joint.
