Bruxism Specialist

Farrokh Bashiri, DDS Dental Implant Specialist & Periodontist
located in Concord, CA & Albany, CA

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Bruxism affects 10% of American adults and 15% of children. At the office of Dr. Bashiri, Farrokh Bashiri, DDS, works closely with residents of Concord and Albany, California, and the surrounding areas to fight against the teeth grinding and jaw clenching that bruxism causes. Schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Bashiri.

Bruxism Q & A

What is bruxism?

Bruxism refers to a dental condition in which you gnash, clench, or grind your teeth regularly. There are two types of bruxism:

  • Awake bruxism: unconsciously clench your teeth while awake
  • Sleep bruxism: clench or grind your teeth while asleep

In most cases, bruxism is part of a more substantial sleep-related disorder, such as sleep apnea. Sometimes, however, it’s your body’s way of processing stressful situations or fatigue.

Keep in mind that symptoms of bruxism aren’t always apparent, so it’s important to be vigilant if you notice any signs.

What are the symptoms of bruxism?

Bruxism has a variety of symptoms, some of which are readily apparent while others don’t appear until the condition has developed significantly. Some of the most common symptoms include:

  • Loud teeth clenching and grinding
  • Fractured, chipped, flattened teeth
  • Worn out tooth enamel
  • Increased tooth sensitivity
  • A toothache
  • Tired jaw muscles
  • Locked jaw
  • Soreness in your neck, face, and jaw
  • Ear pain
  • Temple headaches
  • Temporomandibular joints (TMJ) disorder

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Bashiri as soon as you notice symptoms. The earlier he can address them, the faster you’ll stop grinding your teeth.

What are the risk factors of bruxism?

Bruxism can develop as a result of multiple factors, including:

  • Stress
  • Age
  • Aggressive or hyperactive personalities
  • Side effects of psychiatric medication
  • Family history
  • Other disorders

If you fall into these categories, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re predisposed to bruxism. Get in touch with Dr. Bashiri to determine your risk factor.

How is bruxism treated?

Dr. Bashiri can recommend a series of highly effective treatment options to fix your bruxism and stop you from grinding your teeth.

In children, the best course of action is to prevent or correct the wear caused by the grinding, though it won’t necessarily stop your child from grinding their teeth. In those cases, Dr. Bashiri recommends splints, mouthguards, or dental correction if the wear is severe.

Dr. Bashiri might additionally suggest stress or anxiety management therapies to reduce your body’s response to stressful situations. He can also suggest behavioral changes that help you develop proper positioning of your mouth and jaw. If these methods don’t yield results, Dr. Bashiri can suggest muscle relaxants or anxiety medication.

Bruxism is not a condition to ignore. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Bashiri online or by phone today to learn more about how to can shake off this teeth grinding condition.