Teeth grinding or Bruxism.. Solutions?

Many people have heard their partner complain that they grind their teeth loudly at night while sleeping or woke up with jaw pain for no reason.  Let’s talk about a oral problem that many people may encounter known as bruxism or teeth grinding. What causes teeth grinding and how can bruxism be fixed?

Bruxism does wear down your teeth and can lead to other problems such as jaw pain, earaches or headaches, cracked teeth, receding gums or Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.

Causes Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding may not be caused by a single factor.

Psychosocial conditions

Sometimes teeth grinding can be a symptom of certain neurological conditions including stress, anxiousness, mood, distress or nervousness. Our body respond by tensing our muscles including the muscles in our jaws.

Lack of sleep

Sleep deprivation or irregular sleep can cause stress to the body and lead to teeth grinding.

Drinking alcohol or caffeine

These substances can stimulate the nervous system and cause muscle tension.

Unbalanced bite problem

If the upper and lower teeth do not fit together properly, it can cause teeth grinding without us knowing.

Personality or heredity

Studies shows correlation between of sleep bruxism if a family member has a history of teeth grinding whilst sleeping. Aggressive, competitive or hyperactive personality types has also shown to raise the risk of bruxism.

Medications and other substances

Smoking or some medicines such as certain antidepressants or medications to treat seizures or ADHD can increaes the risk of bruxism.

Managing Bruxism

Fortunately, there are several ways to manage or minimize teeth grinding problem:

  1. Muscle relaxation exercise: Try practicing jaw stretching or relaxation exercises around your face and jaw before sleeping to help reduce teeth grinding.
  2. Reduce stress: Stress management such as exercise, meditation, or listening to music lessens muscle tensions.
  3. Improve sleep habits: Try having a regular bedtime routine. Avoid the use of electronics before bed.
  4. Avoid stimulating foods and drinks: Cut down alcohol and caffeine drinks during evenings or night time. 

If you notice that your teeth worn down, fractured, chipped or loose; you experience tooth pain, sensitivity; you have tight jaw muscles, jaw is locked, pop and clicks; An earache that is not a problem with your ear; dull headache that from the jaw, you may have be suffering from bruxism. See your dentist as soon as possible to find a solution.

Treatment of Teeth Grinding

Some some treatment options your dentist may recommend relating to teeth grinding include below:

Night guard

A clear dental splint may be recommend your dentists that you wear while you sleep. This prevent your teeth from directly touching each other and teeth from wearing out whilst unconsciously teeth griding at night.

Dental braces

If the cause of teeth grinding is due to an imbalanced bite, your dentist will then recommend orthodontic braces or clear aligners to correct the malocclusion.

Dental fillings or crowns

If your teeth are worn down, your dentist may reshape chewing teeth surfaces with composite fillings or recommend crowns to repair damage teeth.

Comparison on Treatment Options for Teeth Grinding

Benefits of night guard

  • most common, direct and simple treatment option recommended for bruxism
  • It is non-invasive and prevents wearing down of teeth

Limitations of night guard

  • May not resolve the main source of bruxism
  • Night guard will need replacement

Benefits of Dental braces

  • Correct root problem of teeth grinding if cause is due to teeth alignment and bite

Limitation of dental braces

  • Lengthy treatment that takes time

Benefits of crowns and fillings

  • restores and protects worn-down teeth surfaces
  • able to correct teeth and bite alignment to an extend if not opting for dental braces

Limitations

  • May not correct the main root cause of bruxism

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Conclusion

Teeth grinding may seem like a minor issue, but if left untreated for a long time, it can have a negative impact on your dental health and quality of life. If you suspect that you have this condition, consult your dentist to find the best solution for you.

Don’t forget to share this article who may be experiencing the same problem! Sharing your knowledge may help someone be healthier and return a beautiful smile back to you.