Jaw clenching and persistent teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is often related to anxiety or stress. If you find yourself clenching your jaw throughout the day or waking up with sensitive teeth, sore jaw or headache, you may suffer from bruxism. These teeth grinding habits may last throughout your life and can wreak havoc on your oral and general health.
Some of the signs and symptoms of teeth grinding and clenching teeth are facial pain, headaches, earache, disrupted sleep, broken teeth and tooth sensitivity. Pain and stiffness in the jaw joint can also lead to TMD (temporomandibular disorders).
Teeth grinding are broadly classified into awake bruxism and sleep bruxism.
- Awake bruxism (diurnal bruxism) occurs when you are awake, and its symptoms worsen as the day progresses.
- Sleep bruxism (nocturnal bruxism) occurs at night, and its symptoms worsen upon waking up.
A] Determining the Causes of Teeth Grinding
The causes of teeth grinding are not always clear and are linked to numerous factors. Below let’s look at a few factors that contribute to bruxism.
- Anxiety and stress: When people are stressed out or anxious, they often grind their teeth. Sometimes they are not even aware of it, as it happens during sleep.
- Medicines: Research shows that certain medications can lead to bruxism. These medicines can cause changes in the central nervous system that could lead to teeth grinding and jaw pain from clenching.
- Sleep Disorders: If you suffer from a sleep disorder such as obstructive sleep apnea or snoring, you are more likely to grind your teeth while you sleep.
- Lifestyle: Other factors that can make teeth grinding more likely are alcohol, smoking, or having too much caffeinated drinks.
B] Negative Impact of Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding has a negative impact on health and tend to occur in different stages. The early symptoms of teeth grinding are easy to treat. But if left untreated, the symptoms of untreated teeth grinding can worsen. In the long run, untreated bruxism can result in severe damages that may require comprehensive dental health care.
In the early stages of teeth grinding, the enamel wears down. As the enamel is not regenerative, it is vital to preserve it in the best way possible. Over time, untreated bruxism can result in cracks, chips and other damages to your teeth.
More importantly, bruxism not only affects the structural integrity of the teeth but also makes them susceptible to tooth decay. In extreme teeth grinding cases, an individual can also suffer from wobbly teeth or even tooth loss.
Unfortunately, the unfavourable effects of bruxism do not end with damage to the teeth. It can also cause jaw discomfort, restrictive movements, and you may experience clicking sounds while opening and closing your mouth.
C] Bruxism Treatments
If you suffer from bruxism, the dentist may suggest some teeth prevention methods. These include:
- Splints and mouthguards: Also known as a night guard for teeth, these are designed to protect the teeth from injury caused by grinding and clenching. They are commonly made from hard acrylic or soft material and worn over either the upper or lower teeth.
- Dental correction: In extreme cases, when tooth wear leads to sensitivity or inability to chew properly, the dental correction method is applied. This method includes reshaping the chewing surface of the teeth or using dental crowns to repair the damage.
D] Treating Related Disorders
Depending on the cause, treatment for associated disorders include the following.
- If you suffer from an underlying medical condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, treating it may improve bruxism.
- If you develop bruxism as a side-effect of a particular medication, consult with a doctor and get your medications changed.
- At times, teeth grinding may be a symptom of bigger health issues. Treating sleep-related disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may improve sleep bruxism.
#Preparing for a Dental Appointment
To treat bruxism, get in touch with the best dentist in Sunshine Coast. They’ll thoroughly examine the various symptoms to determine the root cause and suggest appropriate treatment options. To prepare for the dental appointment:
- Write down all the symptoms that you have been experiencing.
- If you are taking any medication, make a note.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Who is most likely to grind their teeth?
In most cases, people who suffer from sleep disorders, anxiety or stress are more likely to grind their teeth.
Why is Bruxism so harmful?
Bruxism is harmful as it can result in loosening, fracturing or loss of teeth. Continuous teeth grinding can cause teeth to wear down to stumps. Due to this, a person may require partial/complete dentures, implant, root canal treatment, dental crowns or bridges. Not only can it cause harm to your teeth, but it can also affect your jaw, worsen TMJ/TMD, and even change the appearance of your face. In case of teeth loss, check out our detailed blog on how to replace missing teeth.
What is the impact of teeth grinding and clenching on our mouth?
Mild bruxism doesn't cause serious complications, whereas severe bruxism can damage your jaw, crown and teeth. It may cause tension-type headaches, severe jaw or facial pain. Disorders in the temporomandibular joints, located in the front of the ears, may make clicking sounds when you open & close your mouth.
How much damage can teeth grinding cause?
- Pain: Unconsciously clenching jaw and grinding teeth can cause pressure and stress on the jaw joints and surrounding muscles. This can cause severe pain.
- Tooth damage: Teeth grinding can cause the teeth to crack, chip, fracture, or loosen. It may also damage the fillings, crowns and bridges.
- Jaw disorders: Grinding can affect the jaw joints, causing temporomandibular disorder, leading to severe facial, neck and shoulder pain. It can also cause difficulty in chewing, talking and swallowing.
- Headaches: Grinding can cause painful migraines from the continuous pressure and stress placed on jaw and face muscles.
If sleep bruxism is unconscious, how can I make it stop?
Consult with a dentist, who might suggest a mouth guard for grinding teeth. Other suggestions for reducing sleep bruxism include:
- Cut back on food items and drinks that contain caffeine
- Limit alcohol as it tends to intensify teeth grinding
- Avoid chewing on pens, pencils or anything that isn't food as it allows your jaw muscles to get more used to clenching and makes you grind your teeth.
- Hold a warm washcloth against your cheek in front of your earlobe to help relax the jaw muscles at night.
For any other dental problems, make sure to read our blog on dental problems and their treatments.
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Dr. Adarsh Pisharodi Post Author
Dr. Adarsh Pisharodi, serving as the principal dentist at Oris Dental, brings a wealth of expertise spanning over 26 years to his esteemed practice. Specializing in cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, and orthodontics, he takes immense pride in rejuvenating countless smiles and instilling confidence in Sunshine Coast residents. As an esteemed member of the Australian Dental Association and esteemed dental societies, he remains steadfast in delivering exceptional care to his patients.