Teeth grinding, also referred to as bruxism, is a harmful oral habit that many people may experience at some point in their life. If not resolved, teeth grinding can lead to an increase in headaches, fractured teeth, jaw pain, tooth sensitivity, and other issues. Some people may find themselves grinding their teeth throughout the day, whereas other individuals may be unknowingly grinding their teeth during sleep. Fortunately, your dental professionals can help address teeth grinding and its damaging effects. This article will give complete information about symptoms, causes, treatments, and prevention tips for Teeth Grinding.
- Approximately 15% of adolescents are reported to experience teeth grinding during their sleep.
- The prevalence of teeth grinding during sleep decreases with age, with reports of approximately 8% of middle-aged adults and 3% of older adults experiencing this condition.
What is Tooth Grinding / Bruxism ?
Teeth grinding is a condition characterized by a person habitually grinding or clenching their teeth together at times other than when normally eating. Teeth grinding can happen when you are awake or asleep and can cause oral and facial pain. Teeth grinding for some individuals is an unconscious habit that could be caused by many factors. Your dentist can notice common signs of teeth grinding such as fractured or worn-down tooth enamel.
What are the Types of Bruxism?
Sleep Bruxism
Individuals with sleep bruxism grind their teeth while asleep. Most people may not realize they are grinding their teeth while asleep until a sleep partner or dental professional points it out to them. Sleep bruxism is classified as a type of sleep disorder. Symptoms of sleep bruxism commonly include facial and jaw pain, clicking or popping noises during jaw movement, headaches, tooth sensitivity, and worn teeth.
Awake Bruxism
Awake bruxism refers to teeth grinding during the day. This condition is commonly caused by stress and anxiety. Conscious awareness and stress management can often help eliminate this harmful habit. Like sleep bruxism, awake bruxism can cause oral and facial pain, headaches, and damage to teeth.
What are the Symptoms of Teeth Grinding?
- Jaw pain - Jaw pain is a common symptom of teeth grinding. As the jaw muscles tighten during teeth grinding and clenching, this causes stress on the jaw joints leading to pain.
- Earaches - Teeth grinding can cause earaches as it impacts the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and muscles that surround the ear canal. Teeth grinding is also reported to increase the risk of ear infections according to some research.
- Facial Muscle Soreness - Teeth grinding and clenching can cause tension in facial muscles, which can cause pain overtime. The common facial muscles impacted are the masseter and temporalis muscles, which both help with lower jaw movement.
- Worn Tooth Enamel - Teeth grinding exerts a lot of pressure on teeth, which can wear down tooth enamel and cause them to appear short and filed down. This leads to exposure of deeper layers of teeth, increasing tooth sensitivity.
- Headaches - Headaches are a common symptom of teeth grinding caused by tense facial muscles. Sleep bruxers often experiencing morning headaches.
- Disrupted Sleep Patterns - Sleep bruxism can disturb your sleep or even your partner’s sleep. The grinding noises, jaw motion, or muscle pain may cause you to repeatedly wake up.
- Tooth Sensitivity - Teeth grinding can wear down tooth enamel, leading to exposure of more sensitive inner layers of the tooth where nerve endings are present. Teeth grinding can make you more susceptible to experiencing sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures over time.
- Tension in the Neck and Shoulders - Teeth grinding can impact not only your oral and facial muscles, but also the muscles spanning your neck and shoulders.
- Fractured Teeth or Fillings - Teeth grinding weakens the teeth and can cause tooth enamel and dental restorations like fillings to crack. As a result, there is a higher likelihood of tooth decay and even tooth loss caused by grinding.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are common culprits of teeth grinding. Your jaw muscles may tense up in response to the release of stress hormones, causing you to clench your teeth. Managing your stress through healthy practices like exercising, better sleep habits, and limiting your screen time with electronics have been proven to help reduce teeth grinding.
Sleep Disorders
Research has suggested a potential link between teeth grinding and irregular sleep patterns and sleep conditions like sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition in which individuals temporarily stop breathing causing repeated awakenings.
Side Effect of Certain Medications
Some medications may increase the risk of teeth grinding, according to research. This includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), amphetamines, and antipsychotics. Speak with your medical professionals to discuss potential side effects.
Smoking or Tobacco Use
The relationship between smoking or tobacco use and teeth grinding is not yet fully understood, yet a study suggested that heavy smokers are at an increased risk of being a weekly bruxer than non-smokers.
Genetics
According to researchers, sleep bruxism may be influenced by genetics. Individuals with family members who experience sleep bruxism are more likely to experience it themselves.
Malocclusion
Malocclusion, or misaligned teeth, may cause teeth grinding. When the teeth are not in their proper positions, it can cause strain on the jaws leading to bruxism.
Abnormal Bite Alignment
Like misaligned teeth, an abnormal bite can contribute to teeth grinding or clenching.
Emotional or Psychological Factors
Some emotional, psychological, and medical conditions have been found to be associated with teeth grinding. This includes Parkinson's disease, dementia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), epilepsy, and sleep disorders.
Excessive Consumption of Caffeine or Alcohol
Previous research has found a potential link between alcohol and caffeine use and bruxism.
What are the Treatments for Bruxism?
Mouthguards
In mild to moderate cases of teeth grinding, your dental professional may recommend using a dental nightguard to help protect your teeth from damage and help reduce jaw muscle pain. Nightguards can be purchased over the counter, however these do not offer the same benefits as those custom-made by your dental professional. Custom-made nightguards are designed to fit perfectly to your teeth and often provide greater comfort and durability.
Medications
Your dental professional may recommend the use of medications such as muscle relaxers to help reduce strain on the jaw muscles responsible for teeth grinding. In addition, your medical doctor may evaluate your current medications and make changes if necessary, based on their side effects.
Orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatment, including braces, mandibular advancement devices, or other orthodontic appliances may help lower your risk of bruxism. Improving your bite and teeth alignment can help you manage bruxism and potentially improve your sleep quality.
Reductive Coronoplasty
A reductive coronoplasty procedure involves adjusting the chewing surfaces of your teeth to allow for better jaw alignment. It can reshape or re-level the teeth so that they are in a better position to help relieve jaw muscle stress.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is a procedure that uses an electronic device to measure muscle activity of the jaws. This can make individuals become more conscious of their teeth grinding habit, especially for daytime bruxers.
Botox
Botox injections may be a great treatment option for some individuals suffering from teeth grinding, as it can help numb the jaw muscles that are used during teeth grinding.
How to Prevent Teeth Grinding?
Manage Stress
Lowering stress levels can not only prevent teeth grinding, but also improve your overall health and well-being. Practicing stress-relieving activities such as listening to music, exercising, or performing an enjoyable hobby may help lower your risk of developing bruxism.
Wear a Mouthguard
Mouth guards help protect the teeth from damage caused by clenching and grinding. They can be made by your dental professional or purchased over the counter at several stores.
Avoid Stimulating Substances
It is recommended to limit consumption of caffeinated beverages and alcohol, which may worsen bruxism.
Be Mindful of Jaw and Teeth Position
Once you become aware of a teeth grinding habit, behavior change can be a powerful treatment. Practicing proper jaw position may help reduce bruxism.
Maintain a Regular Sleep Schedule
Good sleep habits are necessary for your health. The benefits of getting a good night's rest go far beyond helping reduce bruxism, including improving your immune system, memory enhancement, stress reduction, and lower risk of developing systemic issues like diabetes and heart disease.
Regular Dental Check-Ups
Regular dental exams are a necessary preventive care measure to keep your smile healthy and lasting a lifetime. Your dental professional will identify bruxism and inform you of the best treatment options for your case.
Conclusion
Bruxism involves involuntarily grinding or clenching teeth, which can occur when someone is awake or asleep. Understanding the causes and effects of teeth grinding is essential to stopping the bad habit of teeth grinding. One of the most important first steps to conquering this condition is to visit your dental professional, who can properly diagnose and help you manage bruxism. Be sure to pay attention to the common signs and symptoms mentioned in this article and do your best to practice preventative measures.
