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Dentistry vocabulary · Dental Conditions

Bruxism

Meaning in dentistry, with examples

/ˈbrʌksɪzəm/nounCommon term

In dentistry, bruxism means: The habit of grinding or clenching the teeth, often during sleep and without the person knowing. It can wear teeth down and cause jaw pain and headaches.

In Turkish: bruksizm, diş gıcırdatma, diş sıkma

How it is used

Dentists distinguish sleep bruxism from awake bruxism and look for wear facets, cracked teeth and tender jaw muscles. Management often includes a night guard (occlusal splint). Patients say 'I grind my teeth'.

Example sentences

  1. The wear on her canines suggests bruxism.

  2. Because of his bruxism, we made him a hard night guard.

Common collocations

  • sleep bruxism
  • awake bruxism
  • night guard
  • occlusal splint
  • occlusionThe way the upper and lower teeth fit together when the jaws close, and how they touch during chewing and other jaw movements.
  • TMJShort for temporomandibular joint: the joint just in front of each ear that connects the lower jaw to the skull and lets the mouth open, close and move sideways.
  • erosionLoss of tooth surface caused by acids that do not come from bacteria, such as acidic drinks, fruit, or stomach acid from reflux or vomiting.
  • occlusalDescribes the biting or chewing surface of a back tooth, or anything to do with the way the upper and lower teeth meet.

More terms: Dental Conditions

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