Jaw clenching is the cause of a sore jaw and may even lead to the dislocation of the temporomandibular joint. You may also experience clicking and locking of the jaw.
Key takeaways:
– Bruxism originates from the central nervous system and can be triggered by stress, anxiety, alcohol consumption, smoking, and medications.
– Symptoms include worn tooth enamel, chipped or fractured teeth, earaches, headaches and tooth sensitivity.
– Your dentist will help to reduce the effects of grinding or clenching and minimize the symptoms.
Dental fabricated nightguards are designed to provide a stable bite that does not interfere with a healthy, comfortable jaw closure. Adjustment of the device by a dentist can help reduce contraction of jaw muscles during bruxism, which may minimize jaw joint stress and protect tooth enamel.
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