Teeth grinding (bruxism)
It's possible that you don't even realize you're grinding your teeth as you sleep if you suffer from bruxism, or teeth grinding. Unconsciously clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth while you are awake is possible. You should consult your dentist if you develop bruxism symptoms because they could lead to jaw pain and dental problems.
What is bruxism (teeth grinding)?
You probably grind or clench your teeth once in a while, which is generally harmless. But if you grind your teeth frequently, you can suffer from a condition known as bruxism. Bruxism is frequently linked to stress or worry. You can take action to assist, and a dentist or general practitioner may be able to treat you.
How does bruxism hurt me?
It may be harmful to:
- Wearing down, fracture, or losing teeth.
- Harming your temporomandibular joints (TMJs), and jaw muscles that are used to open and close your mouth.
- Your facial profile and appearance may alter (aesthetic issues).
What different bruxisms are there?
You can grind your teeth while you’re awake or asleep. Even though the grinding motion is similar, awake and unconscious bruxism are regarded as two distinct conditions:
Awake bruxism:
When you have this condition, you clench your jaw and grind your teeth all day. It frequently has emotional implications. Teeth grinding can result from emotions such as stress, anxiety, or anger. If you’re more likely to detect and stop your awake bruxism, treatment may not even be necessary. Learning how to become more aware and practicing stress management can both assist to lessen the frequency.
Sleep bruxism:
This variation could be more dangerous because you clench your teeth as you sleep. They can cause tooth damage and jaw pain by exerting up to 250 pounds of strain. Clenching can also cause headaches. You could not get the help you need because you are unaware of it. Another issue with bruxism is that many are unaware of how tightly they clench their jaw and teeth when they sleep.
What are the signs and symptoms of bruxism?
It’s possible that you do not even know that you grind your teeth at sleep. However, the following list of symptoms could indicate bruxism:
- Facial pain or headaches, especially in the morning.
- Broken, worn, loose, or painful teeth.
- Muscle pain in the jaw.
- TMJ causes jaw clicking, popping, and occasionally jaw locking.
- Disturbed sleep.
What makes your teeth grind?
Lifestyle choices such as excessive caffeine use, smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking drugs psychoactive. The likelihood of teeth grinding is double that of non-drinkers and smokers.
Do teeth grinding occur in kids?
Even children can brux, more often at night. Parents may hear their children grinding their teeth when they are asleep. Children who grind their teeth frequently between the eruption of their baby teeth and the eruption of their permanent teeth, however, may not experience long-term effects due to how quickly their teeth and jaws develop. As soon as these two sets of teeth have fully erupted, the majority of kids stop grinding their teeth.
Although the exact cause of children’s teeth grinding is unknown, possible explanations include misaligned teeth or irregular upper-lower tooth contact, illnesses, and other medical conditions such as pinworm, allergies, endocrine disorders, nutritional deficiencies, and psychological factors like stress and anxiety.
Rarely does baby tooth grinding cause issues. However, teeth grinding can result in TMD, headaches, tooth wear, and jaw pain. If your child complains of tooth sensitivity or pain, or if their teeth appear worn, you should take them to the dentist.
With preschool-aged children, no intervention is typically necessary. But to stop the grinding, older kids could require a night guard.
What is the treatment for bruxism?
You might get a night guard fitted in your mouth before going to bed. Your teeth, muscles, and TMJs are shielded from the force that grinding causes. Additionally, may take a muscle relaxant before night.
There are further ways to reduce tooth grinding, such as:
- Stay away from caffeine-containing foods and beverages including colas, chocolate, and coffee as well as alcohol and smoking.
- Avoid chewing gum continuously and every day, and non-food objects like pens or pencils.
- Exercise, meditation, and physical therapy all help to lower stress.
Botox is another option for treating bruxism:
Inject small quantities of botulinum toxin (Botox) directly into the masseter, the big muscle that moves the jaw, to alleviate pain and the likelihood of teeth grinding. Although Botox won’t stop bruxism, it can help this muscle relax. By doing this, you might reduce headaches brought on by teeth grinding. Because the injections last three to four months, they may need to be repeated.
