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Bruxism is a condition that causes you to grind, gnash, or clench your teeth. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously clench your teeth while awake (awake bruxism) or clench or grind them while sleeping (sleep bruxism).
A sleep-related movement disorder is sleep bruxism. People who clench or grind their teeth (brux) while sleeping are more likely to suffer from other sleep disorders such as snoring and breathing pauses (sleep apnea).
Mild bruxism might not necessitate treatment. Bruxism, on the other hand, can be frequent and severe enough in some people to cause jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth, and other issues.
Because you may have sleep bruxism and be unaware of it until complications arise, it is critical to be aware of the signs and symptoms of bruxism and to seek regular dental care.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BRUXISM?
Bruxism can manifest as the following signs and symptoms:
- Grinding or clenching of the teeth that is loud enough to wake up your sleeping partner
- Flattened, fractured, chipped, or loose teeth
- Wearing away of tooth enamel, exposing deeper layers of your tooth
- Pain or sensitivity in the teeth
- Tired or tight jaw muscles, or a locked jaw that will not fully open or close
- Jaw, neck, or face soreness
- Earache-like pain that isn't caused by an ear problem
- A dull headache that begins in the temples
- Chewing on the inside of your cheek, which causes damage.
- Sleep deprivation
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF BRUXISM?
Doctors aren't sure what causes bruxism, but it could be a combination of physical, psychological, and genetic factors.
- Awake bruxism: This could be due to feelings like anxiety, stress, anger, frustration, or tension. It could also be a coping strategy or a habit developed during periods of intense concentration.
- Sleep bruxism: This could be a sleep-related chewing activity associated with arousals.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS OF BRUXISM?
These factors increase your chances of developing bruxism:
- Stress: Teeth grinding can occur as a result of increased anxiety or stress. Anger and frustration are also emotions that can be expressed.
- Age: Bruxism is common in young children, but it usually fades by the time they reach adulthood.
- Type of personality: Having an aggressive, competitive, or hyperactive personality type can increase your risk of bruxism.
- Medications and other substances: Bruxism is a rare side effect of some psychiatric medications, such as antidepressants. Tobacco use, the consumption of caffeinated beverages or alcohol, and the use of recreational drugs may all increase the risk of bruxism.
- Family members suffering from bruxism: Sleep bruxism is more common in families. If you have bruxism, other members of your family may also have it or have a family history of it.
- Other medical conditions: Bruxism has been linked to a variety of mental health and medical disorders, including Parkinson's disease, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), epilepsy, night terrors, sleep-related disorders like sleep apnea, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF BRUXISM?
Bruxism, in most cases, does not result in serious complications. However, severe bruxism can result in:
- Your teeth, restorations, crowns, or jaw may have been damaged.
- Tension headaches
- Pain in the face or jaw that is severe
- Disorders of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), which are located just in front of your ears and make a clicking sound when you open and close your mouth.
HOW IS BRUXISM DIAGNOSED?
Your dentist will most likely look for signs of bruxism during routine dental exams.
If you have any symptoms, your dentist will examine your teeth and mouth over the next few visits to see if the process is progressing and whether you require treatment.
If your dentist suspects you have bruxism, he or she will ask questions about your general dental health, medications, daily routines, and sleep habits to try to determine the cause.
Your dentist may perform the following tests to determine the extent of bruxism:
- Tenderness in the muscles of your jaw
- Dental anomalies that are obvious, such as broken or missing teeth
- Other types of damage to your teeth, the underlying bone, and the inside of your cheeks, usually with the assistance of X-rays
Other disorders that can cause similar jaw or ear pain, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, other dental problems, or health conditions, may be detected during a dental exam.
If your bruxism appears to be related to serious sleep problems, your doctor may refer you to a sleep medicine specialist. More tests, such as a sleep study, can be performed by a sleep medicine specialist to assess for episodes of teeth grinding and to determine if you have sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.
If your teeth grinding appears to be related to anxiety or other psychological issues, you may be referred to a licensed therapist or counselor.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR BRUXISM?
Treatment isn't always necessary. Many children outgrow bruxism without treatment, and many adults do not grind or clench their teeth in a way that necessitates therapy. However, if the problem is severe, certain dental approaches, therapies, and medications may be used to prevent further tooth damage and relieve jaw pain or discomfort.
Consult your dentist or doctor to determine which option is best for you.
Dental approaches
If you or your child suffers from bruxism, your doctor may advise you on how to preserve or improve your teeth. Although these methods may help to prevent or correct tooth wear, they may not be enough to stop bruxism:
- Mouth guards and splints: These are intended to keep teeth apart in order to prevent the damage caused by clenching and grinding. They can be made of hard acrylic or soft materials and can be worn on either your upper or lower teeth.
- Dental correction: In severe cases, when tooth wear has caused sensitivity or the inability to chew properly, your dentist may need to reshape your teeth's chewing surfaces or use crowns to repair the damage.
Alternative approaches
One or more of the following approaches may help alleviate bruxism:
- Management of stress or anxiety: If you grind your teeth as a result of stress, you may be able to avoid the problem by learning relaxation techniques such as meditation. If the bruxism is caused by anxiety, seeking help from a licensed therapist or counselor may be beneficial.
- Behavior modification: You may be able to change your behavior if you discover you have bruxism by practicing proper mouth and jaw position. Request that your dentist demonstrate the best position for your mouth and jaw.
- Biofeedback: If you're having trouble changing your habits, you might benefit from biofeedback, a technique that teaches you to control muscle activity in your jaw using monitoring procedures and equipment.
Medications
Medication isn't very effective in treating bruxism in general, and more research is needed to determine their effectiveness. Among the medications that may be used to treat bruxism are:
- Muscle relaxants: In some cases, your doctor may advise you to take a muscle relaxant before going to bed for a short period of time.
- Botox injections: Botox injections, a type of botulinum toxin, may help some people with severe bruxism who have not responded to other treatments.
- Anxiety or stress medication: Your doctor may advise you to take antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications for a short period of time to help you deal with stress or other emotional issues that may be causing your bruxism.
Treating Related Disorders
Treatment for associated disorders may include the following:
- Medications: If you develop bruxism as a side effect of a medication, your doctor may adjust your dose or prescribe a different one.
- Sleep-related disorders: Taking care of sleep-related issues, such as sleep apnea, may help with sleep bruxism.
- Medical conditions: If an underlying medical condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is found to be the source of the bruxism, treating it may help.
WHAT ARE THE HOME REMEDIES THAT CAN BE USED IN TREATING BRUXISM?
These self-care measures may help prevent or treat bruxism:
- Stress-reduction: Relaxing activities such as listening to music, taking a warm bath, or exercising can help you relax and may lower your risk of developing bruxism.
- In the evening, stay away from stimulating substances: Avoid drinking caffeinated coffee or tea after dinner, and avoid alcohol in the evening, as these can aggravate bruxism.
- Maintain healthy sleeping habits: Getting a good night's sleep, which may include sleep disorder treatment, may help reduce bruxism.
- Speak with your sleeping partner: If you have a sleeping partner, ask him or her to keep an ear out for any grinding or clicking sounds you make while sleeping so you can report them to your dentist or doctor.
- Regular dental exams should be scheduled: The best way to detect bruxism is through a dental exam. During regular visits and exams, your dentist can detect signs of bruxism in your mouth and jaw.