Causes Of Trismus

Habitual Clenching And Grinding

The technical term for tooth grinding is bruxism. Individuals with bruxism unconsciously grind or clench their teeth, both when awake and asleep. If an individual routinely grinds their teeth, they may experience such symptoms as headaches, arthritis in the jaw, and other jaw problems, damaged teeth, and headaches. Another one of the most painful results of grinding the teeth is trismus. Someone who grinds their teeth may even wake up their sleeping partners because of the noise they make while doing so. Routine appointments with the dentist for a checkup may indicate an individuals grinds their teeth if their teeth are chipped, loose, or have become flatter. Also, the habitual clenching and grinding of the teeth wears the enamel off of an individual’s teeth as well as causing pain in the jaws, head, and neck. Dental work such as crowns may be damaged or broken as a result of regular clenching and grinding of teeth.