Do you wake up in the morning with a headache or jaw pain? Does your partner complain about you grinding your teeth while you sleep? These could be signs of bruxism, a relatively common disorder involving unconsciously clenching or grinding your teeth.
While bruxism can occur when we’re awake, most people do it while they’re asleep: this is known as sleep bruxism. We’ll try to explain the causes, symptoms, and treatment for bruxism, so that you can identify it and take measures to combat it.
Symptoms of Bruxism or Teeth Grinding
Some common signs of bruxism include:
- Waking up with jaw pain.
- Frequent headaches, especially upon waking.
- Wear or movement of the teeth.
- Tooth sensitivity or pain.
- Pain or stiffness in the jaw muscles.
- Fatigue or pain in the jaw.
- Difficulty opening the mouth.
Those around you can also notice if you grind or clench your teeth while you sleep: they’ll hear the sound of your teeth rubbing against each other. Bruxism can lead to excessive wear of the teeth, tooth fractures, and loss of tooth enamel. In extreme cases, it can result in tooth loss.
A tell-tale sign and clear indication of bruxism is the presence of wear facets, which are smooth and shiny areas on the tooth surface caused by friction.
Causes of Bruxism
The exact causes of bruxism are unclear, but seem to involve factors such as:
- Stress, anxiety and emotional tension.
- Abnormalities in the jaw joint.
- Sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea.
- Oral habits like biting objects.
- Consumption of caffeine, alcohol or recreational drugs.
Bruxism is more common in adults, although children can also suffer from it. It can also worsen during periods of increased stress.
Treatments for Bruxism
1. Dental Protection
Using a splint or mouth guard while you sleep prevents contact between the teeth, thus preventing their wear. This is the most common treatment and can be custom made by your dentist. They should be worn every night and replaced periodically when they wear out. They are an effective solution for protecting the teeth. At Quality Dent, we work with the Michigan splint, which is the most reputable and recommended in cases of bruxism.
2. Relaxation and Stress Reduction
Since stress can be a contributing factor, learning relaxation and stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation or massages can help.
3. Adjustments in Oral Habits
Avoiding biting hard objects like ice or pencils can also help to reduce bruxism. Quitting smoking is also advisable. Chewing exercises with sugar-free gum help to relax the jaw.
4. Botox
Botox injections in the jaw muscles can relax them and prevent clenching, although the results are temporary.
5. Mandibular Advancement Devices
These are similar to mouth guards, but they slightly push the jaw forward to prevent contact between the teeth.
6. Medication
In some cases, muscle relaxants or sedatives can be prescribed to reduce muscle activity at night. These should always be used under medical supervision. Other therapies include acupuncture, osteopathy, electric stimulation and correction of occlusal problems through dental adjustments or orthodontics. A multidisciplinary approach is usually the most effective in combating bruxism.
Consult Your Dentist About Bruxism
If you suspect you have bruxism, get in contact with us. We can examine the wear of your teeth and the health of your jaw muscles. We’ll also recommend the best treatment options for your case.
Detecting and treating bruxism in a timely manner can prevent serious complications such as tooth damage, chronic jaw pain and frequent headaches. Don’t ignore the symptoms and see your dentist to start treatment as soon as possible and thus find relief from your discomfort.
