Teeth Grinding: What Does It Mean?
It’s hard in this day and age to manage a stress-free lifestyle. The obstacles we face day-to-day may vary from one another, but one thing we all deal with is stress. Stress itself may not be a problem, but our ability to manage, respond, and relieve ourselves from it can be an issue. Some of us have healthy ways of coping with stress, but some methods of stress management may have negative effects on your health, even when it comes to your dental health!
Excessive tooth grinding and jaw clenching, otherwise known as “Bruxism”, is often an involuntary oral activity that is unrelated to normal jaw functions such as eating or talking. Though most people are unaware that they grind their teeth, healthcare professionals note that it is a fairly common unhealthy habit for both children and adults.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism, or teeth grinding/clenching, is a condition where you grind, gnash, or clench your teeth together. You may do this unconsciously while awake or even during sleep. The force is often greater than that of normal biting or chewing, resulting in a variety of problems concerning your oral health.
There are two types of bruxism: Sleep bruxism/nocturnal bruxism and awake bruxism.
Sleep bruxism is the more common of the two and occurs as the name describes- while one is asleep. Sleep bruxism often creates damage to the teeth, jaw, and gums as the patient is asleep and unaware of his or her actions. It is also considered a sleep-related disorder as those who clench their teeth at night are prone to having other sleep disorders such as snoring or sleep apnea.
Awake bruxism can be just as damaging as sleep bruxism but is more likely to be noticed as it occurs during the day.
Like many conditions, bruxism can be mild and irregular, making treatment difficult. Most are unaware of the condition despite the symptoms and are only made aware when it is noticed by others or diagnosed by a medical professional during a routine exam.
Symptoms
There are physical and oral symptoms that can be mild at first but lead to more serious developments if left unchecked or untreated.
Physical symptoms
- Headaches
- Discomfort in the jaw
- Facial muscle pain
- Earaches
- Cheek biting
- Shoulder and neck stiffness/tightness
- Limitation of jaw motions
- Cracking or popping of jaw joint
- Sleep disruption
Oral symptoms
- Abnormal tooth wear
- Teeth sensitivity
- Fractures or cracks in teeth
- Misalignment of jaw
- Inflammation and recession of gums
- Loose teeth
- Loss of teeth
The misalignment or dislocation of the jaw joints is a common result of unnoticed prolonged bruxism. The excessive grinding force produces a change in the structure of your jaw’s natural alignment and may alter the appearance of your face and smile.
Causes
The causes may not always be clear as bruxism is thought of as a method of coping with stress or anxiety, however, there can be a variety of other causes. It may be a combination of physical, psychological, and genetic factors.
Some risk factors include:
- Stress– An increase in anxiety or stress may lead to teeth grinding within your environment
- Oral Health– teeth misalignment or abnormal bites
- Age– common in younger children, but this habit typically disappears by adulthood
- Personality– An individual’s personality and the ability for stress management
- Medication– Bruxism can be an uncommon side effect of medication
- Health Disorders– Teeth grinding can be associated with some mental health or medical disorders such as Parkinson’s, night terrors, and ADHD, and may also be a symptom of a disease or disorder that affects the nerves and muscles of the face.
Treatment
The best solution is to identify and handle the determined underlying cause or causes. There are two forms of general treatment: the first is oral management (meaning the use of devices to physically stop the grinding) and the second is behavioral management (which focuses on lifestyle and stress management).
Oral Treatment
- Bite Guards
- Mandibular Advancement devices
- Dental correction
- Splints
Behavior Management
- Habit breaking
- Lifestyle adjustment
- Sleep therapy
- Muscle relaxation
Home Therapy
- Apply wet heat or ice to sore joints (do not apply directly to the skin)
- Massage the muscles in the neck, shoulders, and face
- Avoid hard, dense, and chewy foods
- Learn stretching exercises for the affected areas
- Practice good sleep habits
If you suspect you are suffering from bruxism or excessive teeth grinding, start a list of any and all symptoms you may be experiencing and bring them to the attention of your dentist. Teeth grinding can lead to more serious complications should symptoms become severe. For more information, contact The LANAP and Implant Center today.