Bruxism: Is it okay to just leave it alone? 🦷 If your teeth are wearing down little by little, be sure to read this

Hello 😊 This is Make Dental Clinic, a dental clinic near Sinsa Station.

Today, we’re talking about a concern that more people have than you might think—

a patient who was worried because their teeth were getting smaller due to bruxism

"I have bruxism, and I’m worried it might be causing problems with my teeth."

Let’s talk about that.

🌙 Bruxism is more common than you might think

Bruxism (sleep bruxism) is the behavior of grinding or clenching the upper and lower teeth while sleeping.

Because it happens during sleep, many people do not realize they are doing it, and a lot of people first notice it when they wake up with a stiff or tired jaw in the morning.

Bruxism can occur for various reasons, such as stress, sleeping posture, and bite imbalance.

Your teeth may be changing without you even realizing it!

🦷 How bruxism affects the teeth

If bruxism continues for a long time, it can cause the following changes to the teeth.

① Tooth wear The tips of the teeth can become flattened, the front teeth may look shorter, and the shape of the teeth can change.

If you finished orthodontic treatment but still feel that the shape of your teeth is not even, it may be wear caused by bruxism.

② Tooth cracks (cracks) Repeated strong force can create tiny, invisible cracks on the tooth surface.

③ TMJ discomfort If your jaw feels stiff in the morning or you feel pain in front of the ear, it may be a sign that the temporomandibular joint is being affected as well.

④ Tooth sensitivity When wear makes the enamel on the tooth surface thinner, teeth can become more sensitive to temperature changes.

💡 What should you do if you have bruxism?

First, the bruxism itself needs to be managed.

At the dental clinic, we can make a night guard (mouthpiece) to help reduce bruxism during sleep.

It helps protect teeth that have already worn down from further damage.

What about teeth whose shape has already changed?

If the shape, length, or surface texture of the teeth has changed due to wear— and if the bruxism is being managed steadily— restorative treatment such as laminate veneers or crowns may be considered to improve both esthetics and function.

At Make Dental Clinic’s MAKE LAYER system,

🔬 the degree of wear is precisely analyzed with a 3D oral scan,

🖥 the desired shape is designed with CAD digital design, and

📸 a 3D smile preview lets you check what the result may look like in advance.

Depending on the condition of the teeth, the amount of reduction is calculated to the decimal point, and in some cases, treatment can be done without any reduction.

However, if bruxism is still actively ongoing, the risk of fracture may increase if laminate veneers are performed,

so we first consult about whether treatment should proceed after managing the bruxism.

✅ If this sounds like you, consider a consultation

• People whose jaws feel stiff when they wake up in the morning

• People whose tooth tips seem flattened from wear

• People who still do not like the shape of their teeth even after orthodontic treatment

• People who feel their teeth have become shorter than before

• People who have been told that they may have a crack in a tooth

Bruxism may feel like "just a minor sleeping habit," but if left untreated for a long time, it can affect the entire set of teeth 🦷

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us for a consultation 😊

If you would like a more detailed consultation,

click the map below to make a Naver reservation.

Medical Law Notice

This post was written in compliance with Articles 23 and 56 of the Medical Service Act.

It has been prepared for the purpose of providing information about treatment methods and clinical standards based on actual treatment cases,

and does not generalize or guarantee the reviews or treatment effects of any specific patient.

Because all treatments may vary in their application and results depending on the patient’s oral condition, lifestyle habits, and other factors,

an accurate consultation and diagnosis are only possible through an in-person visit.

Treatment start: 2026.02.19

Treatment end: 2026.03.20