Bruxism is a condition in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously clench your teeth when you’re awake (awake bruxism) or clench or grind them during sleep (sleep bruxism).
Sleep bruxism is considered a sleep-related movement disorder. People who clench or grind their teeth (brux) during sleep are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring and pauses in breathing (sleep apnea).
Mild bruxism may not require treatment. However, in some people, bruxism can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems.
Because you may have sleep bruxism and be unaware of it until complications develop, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of bruxism and to seek regular dental care.
Signs and symptoms of bruxism may include:
• Teeth grinding or clenching, which may be loud enough to wake up your sleep partner
• Teeth that are flattened, fractured, chipped or loose
• Worn tooth enamel, exposing deeper layers of your tooth
• Increased tooth pain or sensitivity
• Tired or tight jaw muscles, or a locked jaw that won’t open or close completely
• Jaw, neck or face pain or soreness
• Pain that feels like an earache, though it’s actually not a problem with your ear
• Dull headache starting in the temples
• Damage from chewing on the inside of your cheek
• Sleep disruption
Causes
Doctors don’t completely understand what causes bruxism, but it may be due to a combination of physical, psychological and genetic factors.
• Awake bruxism may be due to emotions such as anxiety, stress, anger, frustration or tension. Or it may be a coping strategy or a habit during deep concentration.
• Sleep bruxism may be a sleep-related chewing activity associated with arousals during sleep.
Dental treatment
It is aimed at preventing the erasure of enamel and the preservation of teeth from destruction.
• Orthodontic mouthguards. They are put on at night, protecting the teeth from overload during unconscious grinding. Relaxation tires. They are used as a symptomatic therapy to achieve the effect of muscle relaxation: pain and spasm of the masticatory muscles are reduced.
• Grinding. When a doctor diagnoses an incorrect ratio of the chewing surfaces of the units of the upper and lower rows, the correct contact between them is recreated using selective grinding. This method of treating involuntary contraction of the masticatory muscles is rarely used.
• Remineralization. Thinned/damaged tooth enamel (especially in the presence of a wedge-shaped defect) needs to restore its mineral composition and density. Gels / varnishes with a high concentration of fluorine are used, as well as calcium preparations.
• Occlusal rehabilitation. The main goal is to achieve harmonious occlusion (static and dynamic), which will help the bruxist relieve tension from the masticatory muscles.
• Prosthetics. To restore the destroyed units, crowns are used.
See your dentist or doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed above or have other concerns about your teeth or jaw.
If you notice that your child is grinding his or her teeth — or has other signs or symptoms of bruxism — be sure to mention it at your child’s next dental appointment.
