All the terms you need to understand as you get familiar with the world of bruxism.

Word	Meaning	Synonyms
Aetiology	The cause or set of causes of a disease or condition.
Attrition	Tooth wear caused by tooth-to-tooth contact.
Biofeedback	A technique used to help individuals control bodily processes that are typically involuntary, like muscle tension.
Botox	A treatment option for severe bruxism.	Botulinum Toxin
Bruxism	Involuntary habitual grinding of the teeth, typically during sleep.	teeth grinding
Clenching	The act of holding the teeth together tightly, common in bruxism.	gurning, gnashing
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)	A form of psychotherapy that can be used to manage stress and anxiety, which are potential triggers of bruxism.
Dental Erosion	The loss of tooth structure due to chemical dissolution by acids.
Dental Night Guard	A removable, custom-fitted plastic appliance that fits between the upper and lower teeth to prevent them from grinding against each other.	bite splint, occlusal splint, dental splint, night guard, occlusal guard, bruxism guard, TMJ guard, mouth protector
Dentin	The layer of the tooth beneath the enamel.
Dentures	A removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Bruxism can cause complications for those who wear dentures.	False teeth, dental prosthetics, dental plates, overdenture
Electromyography (EMG)	A diagnostic procedure to assess the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them (motor neurons), used in some sleep studies to detect bruxism.
Enamel	The hard, outermost layer of a tooth.
Endodontics	The branch of dentistry concerned with the morphology, physiology, and pathology of the human dental pulp and periradicular tissues.
Fractures	Broken or cracked teeth, which can result from severe bruxism.
Genetics	The study of genes, heredity, and genetic variation in living organisms. There might be a genetic component to bruxism.
Gingivitis	Gum disease that can be worsened by bruxism.
Gnashing	Similar to grinding, often associated with stress or anger.
Hypertrophy	Enlargement or overgrowth of an organ or part of the body, such as the masseter muscle in bruxism.
Hypnosis	A technique that can be used to manage and reduce bruxism.
Hypnotherapy	A type of therapy that uses hypnosis to help individuals relax and focus, sometimes used to manage bruxism.
Insomnia	Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, often linked with bruxism.
Malocclusion	Misalignment of teeth or incorrect relation between the teeth of the two dental arches.
Mandible	Lower jaw bone
Masseter Muscle	A facial muscle that plays a key role in closing the jaw, often overworked in bruxism.
Maxilla	Upper jaw bone
Muscle Relaxants	Medications that can be used to manage bruxism.
Neurotransmitters	Chemical messengers in the brain, some of which may play a role in bruxism.
Occlusion	The alignment of teeth when the jaws are closed.
Orthodontic Treatment	Treatment to correct teeth and jaw alignment, sometimes required in bruxism cases.
Pediatric Bruxism	Teeth grinding in children.
Periodontal Disease	An infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place, which can be exacerbated by bruxism.
Periodontics	The branch of dentistry concerned with structures surrounding and supporting the teeth.
Pharmacotherapy	The treatment of disease through the administration of drugs, sometimes used in bruxism cases.
Polysomnography	A type of sleep study, often used to diagnose sleep disorders such as bruxism.
Prosthodontics	Dental specialty pertaining to the diagnosis, treatment planning, rehabilitation, and maintenance of oral function, comfort, appearance, and health of patients with missing or deficient teeth and/or oral and maxillofacial tissues.
Psychotherapy	Therapy used to manage psychological triggers of bruxism.
Restorative Dentistry	Dental care aimed at managing tooth damage, often needed for bruxism patients.
Sleep Apnea	A serious sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts.
Sleep Diary	A record of an individual’s sleeping and waking times with related information, usually over a period of several weeks.
Sleep Disorders	Conditions that disrupt a person’s sleep.
Sleep Hygiene	Practices and habits that promote good sleep health, often recommended for bruxism patients.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)	The joint that connects the jaw to the skull.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)	A condition that can cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles controlling jaw movement. Bruxism can lead to TMD.
Tooth Sensitivity	A common symptom of bruxism due to the wear of tooth enamel.
Xerostomia	Dry mouth, a potential side effect of medications used to treat bruxism.	Cotton mouth, dry mouth