Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common dental condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Did you know one in every six people suffer from teeth grinding?
While it may seem harmless or even go unnoticed, the consequences of chronic teeth grinding can be significant, leading to various dental and health issues.
Dangers of Bruxism
If you grind your teeth at nights and leave the issue untreated, it can lead to more serious health concerns. These include:
- Jaw pain
- Migraines and headaches
- Muscle tension in the face, neck and shoulders
- Difficulty eating
- Broken, chipped or weak teeth
- TMJ disorder
Teeth grinding primary causes and contributing factors
- Stress and Anxiety: One of the most common triggers for teeth grinding is stress and anxiety. When we are under emotional pressure, our bodies may respond by clenching the jaw and grinding our teeth, especially during sleep.
- Malocclusion: Dental misalignment, or malocclusion, can result in an uneven bite, causing the teeth to grind against each other as the jaw tries to find a more comfortable position.
- Sleep Disorders: Sleep disorders like sleep apnea can lead to teeth grinding. People with sleep apnea may clench and grind their teeth in an effort to maintain their airway during disrupted sleep.
- Medications and Substances: Certain medications and substances, such as antidepressants, recreational drugs, and excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption, can increase the risk of teeth grinding.
If a stressful lifestyle isn’t suspected, a sleep study will likely be recommended. After the appropriate diagnosis, we may recommend wearing a protective splint to guard against your teeth becoming cracked or worn. The splint takes pressure off of the teeth to prevent breakage, while also reducing strain to the TMJ.
Preventing and Managing Teeth Grinding
The good news is that teeth clenching can often be managed effectively with the right strategies. Here are some tips to help prevent or alleviate the condition:
- Stress Management: Finding healthy ways to manage stress and anxiety, such as through exercise, relaxation techniques, or counseling, can significantly reduce teeth grinding.
- Dental Appliances: Dentists can prescribe custom-fitted nightguards or splints that help protect your teeth from grinding damage. These devices are worn during sleep and provide a barrier between your upper and lower teeth.
- Correcting Malocclusion: In some cases, orthodontic treatment may be recommended to address misaligned teeth or jaws and alleviate bruxism.
- Lifestyle Changes: Reducing or eliminating caffeine and alcohol consumption, as well as avoiding recreational drugs, can help mitigate teeth grinding associated with these substances.
- Treating Underlying Conditions: If sleep apnea is a contributing factor, addressing this disorder with the help of a healthcare professional can also reduce teeth grinding.
Bruxism in Young Children
Bruxism in children may be associated with airway problem or sleep apnoea. You might notice grinding noises when your child sleeps. If your son or daughter wakes up tired, suffers from frequent nightmares or tends to sleep with their mouth open, we may recommend sending him or her to an ENT for an evaluation. Sometimes the solution is as simple as taking a nose spray, while other children need a tonsillectomy.
A study for sleep apnoea may also be recommended, but habitual teeth grinding in children is usually something that they grow out of.
Your Solution to Bruxism
- Diagnosis: Before any treatment can be initiated, your dentist will first need to diagnose the extent and underlying causes of your teeth grinding. This typically involves a comprehensive evaluation, which may include the following:
- Dental examination: Your dentist will examine your teeth, looking for signs of wear, damage, or misalignment.
- Medical history: Your dentist will inquire about your medical history, including any medications you're taking and your daily habits.
- Lifestyle factors: Factors like stress, anxiety, and substance use (e.g., caffeine, alcohol, or recreational drugs) can contribute to bruxism.
- Sleep patterns: If you exhibit symptoms of sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, this may be a potential contributor to teeth grinding.
- Custom-Fitted Nightguards or Splints: One of the most common and effective treatments for teeth grinding is the use of custom-fitted nightguards or splints. These are dental appliances designed to protect your teeth from grinding and clenching. Here's how the process typically works:
- Impressions: Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth to create a custom nightguard that fits perfectly in your mouth.
- Fitting: Once the nightguard is ready, your dentist will ensure it fits comfortably and securely in your mouth.
- Nighttime use: You'll wear the nightguard during sleep. It acts as a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, preventing them from grinding against each other.
- Monitoring: Your dentist will monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to the nightguard to ensure it remains effective.
- Orthodontic Treatment: If misaligned teeth or jaw structures are contributing to your teeth grinding, your dentist may recommend orthodontic treatment. This could involve braces, clear aligners (e.g., Invisalign), or other orthodontic interventions to correct the misalignment. By aligning your teeth and jaws properly, bruxism can often be alleviated.
- Stress Management: Stress and anxiety are common triggers for teeth grinding. Your dentist may recommend stress management techniques, such as relaxation exercises, meditation, or counseling, to help you manage emotional stress effectively. Reducing stress can often lead to a reduction in teeth grinding.
- Medication Adjustment: In some cases, if medications you are taking are suspected to contribute to bruxism, your dentist may work with your healthcare provider to adjust your medication regimen or explore alternative treatments.
- Treating Sleep Disorders: If sleep disorders like sleep apnea are identified as contributing factors, your dentist may refer you to a sleep specialist or other healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment. Treating the underlying sleep disorder can help reduce teeth grinding.
- Regular Dental Check-Ups: After receiving treatment for teeth grinding, it's important to maintain regular dental check-ups. Your dentist will monitor your progress, assess the condition of your nightguard, and make any necessary adjustments. They can also provide guidance on ongoing care and prevention.