Referred to in medical circles by its official name of bruxism, teeth grinding is a surprisingly common problem. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 10% of the adult population will go through periods during their lifetime where they will find themselves grinding their teeth. The only problem being that in the vast majority of cases of bruxism, the clenching and grinding takes place overnight while asleep, meaning that a) you may not realise you have bruxism in the first place and b) this can make it difficult to take control of the problem.
While research suggests that only around one in every 20 cases of bruxism is genuinely serious, every case of bruxism can lead to serious tooth damage. You can arm yourself with the best water flosser of 2016 and really go to town with your oral hygiene regime, but if you are slowly but surely grinding away at the enamel on your teeth, chances are you are headed for problems, sooner or later.
Which in turn means that it is absolutely a condition that should not be overlooked or ignored – even if it doesn’t appear to be causing you any particular problems at the moment.
Identifying Bruxism
As already mentioned, the fact that bruxism often strikes while asleep means that it can be quite difficult to self-diagnose. In many instances, it is actually the individual’s partner who first notices the problem, either by seeing the person grinding their teeth visually or hearing grinding noises. Other symptoms indicative of bruxism include waking up in the morning with tight or aching jaw muscles, toothache, a dull headache which seems to be worse in the morning, pain in the face, ears or sinuses, damage to the teeth, broken fillings and the inability to open the mouth fully without pain.
Along with these characteristic symptoms, there are also plenty of other signs of bruxism which may be difficult to spot personally. This is why it is a good idea for anyone who believes they may have bruxism to have their teeth and mouth checked by a dental professional, who will be able to identify whether or not teeth grinding is a problem. If bruxism is causing problems but there are no visible signs or symptoms upon examination, it may be necessary to be referred for additional muscle and jaw function checks, or perhaps even a sleep study.
What Causes Bruxism?
While there are certain underlying illnesses that can cause bruxism, the vast majority of cases are the result of sleep problems and/or psychological issues. Anxiety, anger, depression and emotional stress in general are all among the most common causes of teeth grinding.
In addition, certain drugs (both prescription and recreational) can lead to severe bruxism, as can insomnia, dehydration, poor diet and certain dental problems. There are also many over the counter medications that are known to increase the likelihood of bruxism – it can even be exacerbated by caffeine.
Treatment of Bruxism
The most effective approach with regard to treating bruxism will always be determined in accordance with its primary cause. Given the fact that the vast majority of cases of bruxism tend to stem from stress, anxiety and other emotional issues, this will often be the primary point of focus for those looking to treat the condition. Largely anything that helps an individual with bruxism to relax, unwind and improve their sleeping habits will usually have a positive impact on bruxism.
In the case of those for whom bruxism is something of a side-effect of a prescription medication, it may be necessary to consider alternative treatment options. Should it be determined that the problem is the result of dental issues, reconstructive surgery may be recommended by a dentist. Generally speaking, anyone with a confirmed case of bruxism is strongly advised to reduce their intake of stimulants, while at the same time paying close attention to both hydration and maintaining consistently healthy sleep patterns.
Aside from complementary treatments to help a person relax, there are in fact no specific medications that can stop bruxism. One of the most immediate options available is that of a specially made mouth guard, which is worn overnight and prevents the teeth from grinding together. Such guards do not actually prevent or treat bruxism in any way, but can offer protection for the teeth. Nevertheless, they may do little to assist with the muscle and joint pain associated with excessive clenching and grinding.
As the teeth may be subjected to rather excessive punishment on a day to day basis, dental professionals recommend stepping up everyday oral hygiene to strengthen the teeth as much as possible. This includes investing in the very best electric toothbrush on the market, remembering to floss on a regular basis and using only the highest quality toothpaste and mouthwash.
Can Bruxism Get Worse?
In all instances, it is important to bring a suspected case of bruxism to the attention of a dental professional as early as possible. This way, there is technically no reason whatsoever why any case should be given the opportunity to get worse over time. Left unaddressed however, it is perfectly possible that what starts out as a mild case of bruxism may quickly intensify into something much more serious.
If in any doubt whatsoever, speak to your dentist for advice.
A few interesting facts about bruxism:
- There are many cases of bruxism that go undetected for years, often even decades on end simply because those affected misread the symptoms. For example, one characteristic symptom of bruxism is earache, or in some cases pain and discomfort in the sinuses. Bruxism doesn’t necessarily result in any kind of tooth or mouth pain whatsoever.
- Just because you have never had a problem with bruxism in your life doesn’t mean that you won’t in the future. It is a condition that can quite literally come out of nowhere at any time, without there necessarily being any specific reason for it doing so.
- While research suggests that around 10% of adults grind their teeth, it is estimated that between 15% and 25% of children have bruxism. Also, it is now known that bruxism runs in families, which means that if your parents had a problem of teeth grinding at any point in their life, you yourself are more likely to follow suit.
