Bruxism
What Is Bruxism/Teeth Grinding?
Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a disorder in which an individual involuntarily clenches or grinds their teeth, often while they are sleeping. Bruxism can cause significant damage to the teeth, jaw, and surrounding tissues, leading to pain, discomfort, chipped, cracked or broken teeth, and even tooth loss. It is often a sign of underlying stress and anxiety and can worsen during periods of increased stress.
Before you contact a Toronto dentist to examine Bruxism, there are some things you should know as a patient:
- Why Do I Have Bruxism?
- Signs And Symptoms Of Bruxism
- Treatment Options For Bruxism
- How To Prevent Bruxism
- Managing Bruxism Until You Can See The Dentist
If you have questions about Bruxism or other dental problems, please contact us for more information.
Why Do I Have Bruxism?
There is no single cause of teeth grinding, but it can be attributed to a combination of factors, including:
- Stress and anxiety: One of the most common causes of bruxism is stress and anxiety. The body’s response to stress can cause muscle tension in the jaw and face, leading to teeth grinding.
- Sleep disorders: Bruxism can also be a symptom of sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, where the individual’s breathing is disrupted during sleep, leading to your body subconsciously repositioning the jaw to breathe constantly. The result is grinding or clenching of the teeth.
- Medications: Certain medications can cause teeth grinding as a side effect include antidepressants and antipsychotics.
- Misaligned teeth: Teeth that are misaligned can cause the individual’s bite to be off, leading to grinding and clenching of the teeth in an attempt to achieve a comfortable resting position.
- Lifestyle factors: Certain lifestyle factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, caffeine and smoking have also been linked to bruxism.
Identifying the underlying cause of bruxism is crucial in determining the appropriate treatment plan. A dental professional can help diagnose the condition and provide recommendations for management and prevention. If you have further questions about Bruxism, please contact us.
Signs And Symptoms Of Bruxism
Bruxism can present with a range of signs and symptoms, including:
- Teeth grinding or clenching: The most obvious sign of bruxism is teeth grinding or clenching, which may be audible to others or only detected during a dental exam.
- Jaw pain: Bruxism can cause pain or sensitivity in the jaw joint or muscles, leading to discomfort or difficulty opening and closing the mouth. This may be more noticeable in the morning when you wake up from sleep.
- Headaches: Chronic teeth grinding can cause tension headaches, often starting in the temples or back of the head that can last throughout the day.
- Fatigue: Waking up feeling tired despite getting enough sleep.
- Tooth sensitivity: Over time, bruxism can wear down the enamel on the teeth, leading to shortened teeth, thin enamel, and increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks.
- Damaged teeth: Bruxism can cause chipped, cracked, or broken teeth, and can also lead to dental restorations such as tooth fillings or dental crowns becoming loose or falling out.
- Enlarged jaw muscles: Constant grinding of the teeth can cause hypertrophy of the muscles of mastication, including the masseter muscles. This will give the appearance of puffy cheeks, defined jaw muscle tone, and square jaw outline.
It is important to seek treatment for bruxism if you experience any of these symptoms. Left untreated, teeth grinding can lead to further complications and more extensive dental work. If you have further questions about the signs and symptoms of Bruxism, please contact us.
Treatment Options For Bruxism
Treatment options for bruxism can vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Some potential treatment options include:
- Night guards: A dental professional can create a custom-fitted mouthguard to be worn at night, which can help prevent damage to the teeth and alleviate symptoms such as jaw pain.
- Stress management techniques: If stress is identified as the underlying cause of bruxism, stress management techniques such as meditation, exercise, or therapy may be recommended.
- Medications: In some cases, medications such as muscle relaxants or antidepressants may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms.
- Dental work: In severe cases, dental work such as crowns, veneers and fillings may be necessary to repair teeth damaged from teeth grinding, and restore them to their original look, feel, and function.
- CPAP machine: If your teeth grinding habit is caused by sleep apnea, then a CPAP machine, which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, can be helpful in keeping the airway open, preventing the collapse of the soft tissues in the throat that can cause obstructive sleep apnea. A sleep study performed by a sleep medicine doctor is required to obtain a CPAP machine.
It is important to consult with a dental professional to determine the best course of treatment for your individual case of bruxism. If you have further questions about how to treat Bruxism, please contact us.
How To Prevent Bruxism
While there is no foolproof way to prevent bruxism, there are some steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of developing the condition:
- Manage stress: Since stress is a common cause of bruxism, finding effective stress management techniques can be helpful in preventing the onset of the condition. Examples include meditation, exercise, or therapy.
- Lifestyle changes: Making lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol and caffeine consumption, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy sleep routine can also help alleviate symptoms.
- Protect your teeth: Wearing a mouthguard at night can help protect the teeth from damage caused by grinding and clenching.
- Addressing undiagnosed sleep apnea: If your teeth grinding habit is caused by sleep apnea, then a CPAP machine, which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, can be helpful in keeping the airway open, preventing the collapse of the soft tissues in the throat that can cause obstructive sleep apnea. A sleep study performed by a sleep medicine doctor is required to obtain a CPAP machine.
By taking these steps, you can help reduce the likelihood of developing bruxism and protect the long-term health of your teeth and jaw. If you have further questions about how to prevent Bruxism, please contact us.
Managing Bruxism Until You Can See The Dentist
If you are experiencing teeth grinding and cannot see a dentist immediately, there are some things you can do to manage the symptoms in the meantime. These may include:
- Applying Warm Compresses: Applying a warm compress to the jaw muscles can help relax them and alleviate pain and soreness.
- Doing Jaw Exercises: Gentle jaw exercises, such as opening and closing the mouth and moving the jaw from side to side, can help relieve tension in the muscles.
- Using Over-The-Counter Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) can help alleviate pain and discomfort.
- Avoiding Hard, Chewy Foods: Eating soft, easy-to-chew foods can help reduce the pressure on the jaw muscles and prevent further discomfort.
- Managing Stress: Since stress can exacerbate bruxism, finding ways to manage stress, such as practicing relaxation techniques, can help alleviate symptoms.
It’s important to keep in mind that these measures are only temporary and do not address the underlying cause of teeth grinding. It’s still important to see a dentist or doctor as soon as possible to identify the cause of bruxism and develop an effective treatment plan. If you have further questions about how to manage Bruxism, please contact us.
