Bruxism

Bruxism

What is bruxism?

• Bruxism is the medical term for grinding and clenching teeth
• Bruxism is a type of parafunction. It can happen during daytime activities, particularly during moments of stress or strain such as rush hour traffic or physical exertion during exercise
• However, bruxism also often happens during our sleep without us being conscious of it. While we sleep, our jaw muscles activate and can apply significant force and strain to our teeth, joints and the muscles themselves

What are signs that I might be grinding my teeth?

• Because a lot of bruxing happens at night, it might not be easy to know if you are bruxing. However, you might wake up with pain or soreness in your jaw joint and jaw muscles. These might be more uncomfortable in the morning and reduce in severity over the day.
• You might notice your jaw joint clicking or popping more often, particularly if you open your jaw very wide, for example, when you yawn or take a big bite of food. You might even experience jaw dislocation which can be alarming if you have not experienced this before.
• If you share your bedroom with others, they might also comment on hearing you grinding while you sleep.
• You might notice that your teeth have become flatter, shorter, or worn down over time – particularly on their biting surface. Your teeth might feel sore in the mornings.

What are the consequences of bruxism?

• Bruxism can affect your jaw muscles
  • Bruxism involves activating and flexing your jaw muscles as you clench and grind. The intense workout over a prolonged period of time can tire the muscles out, resulting in them becoming sore and strained
  • This tenderness can manifest itself as  a tightness in the temples of your head that can feel like a headache
  • This tenderness can also be pronounced in the muscle above the angle of your jawbone. It can feel like you are carrying a lot of tension in your face.
• Bruxism can affect your jaw joint
  • Your jaw joint, also known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), is the joint that connects your lower jaw and the upper part of your head
  • Bruxism can overwork this joint and cause pain and discomfort that you might feel just in front of your ears
  • Overworking this joint can also result in loosening of the ligaments, and can result in clicking or dislocation of the jaw. This can start out infrequent and pain-free, but can become more frequent and painful over time
  • If you feel discomfort in this region, particularly just after you wake up, it might be a good idea to see your dentist who can help diagnose the cause of the pain and explore management options
• Bruxism can affect your teeth
  • As you clench and grind, you are applying a lot of force to your teeth. This can cause significant wear and tear over time.
  • If your teeth have previous dental work such as fillings and crowns, it is also more likely that these will be damaged and break if you are a heavy bruxer
  • Your teeth might wear down, becoming more flattened or chipped over time. Over time, the outer layer of enamel can be lost, exposing dentine which can cause your teeth to be more sensitive to hot, cold, or sweet food and drinks.
  • Your teeth might also crack or fracture, resulting in injury to the nerves of the tooth and causing dental pain. Extensive dental treatment might be required to save a cracked tooth. In some cases, the tooth might not be salvageable and might need to be taken out

How do I stop bruxing?

• If you are bruxing in the day, simply being more aware of the condition and its consequences can help you to catch yourself doing it and stop.
• However, if you are bruxing during your sleep, it is not possible to actively stop yourself from doing this.
• Stress and anxiety are shown to be significantly associated with bruxing. It is important to remember to take care of your overall wellbeing or try to practise stress management techniques. This can reduce the amount that you are bruxing while asleep, and reduce its negative consequences.
• While it is hard to stop or cure bruxing, it is important to talk to your dentist if you are experiencing symptoms of bruxism.
• Your dentist can help you to manage the condition and discuss treatment options to protect your teeth, jaw joint, and muscles from the negative effects of bruxism