What should you know about Bruxism?
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
Sleep bruxism is considered a sleep-related movement disorder.
People who clench or grind their teeth during sleep are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring and pauses in breathing (sleep apnea).
Mild bruxism
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.
Symptoms
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.
Risk factors include:
- Stress.
- Age. (Bruxism is common in young children)
- Personality type. Having a personality type that's aggressive, competitive or hyperactive can increase your risk of bruxism.
- Medications and other substances. Bruxism may be an uncommon side effect of some psychiatric medications, such as certain antidepressants. Smoking tobacco, drinking caffeinated beverages or alcohol, or using recreational drugs may increase the risk of bruxism.
- Family members with sleep bruxism.
- Parkinson's disease.
- Dementia.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disorder
- Epilepsy
- Night terrors
- Sleep apnea
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Treatment
In many cases, treatment isn't necessary.
Many kids outgrow bruxism without treatment.
However, if the problem is severe, options include certain dental approaches, therapies and medications to prevent more tooth damage and relieve jaw pain or discomfort. Talk with your dentist or doctor to find out which option may work best for you.
The key is to identify the root cause and minimize the risk factors presented in the article, for example, if teeth grinding is caused by a sleep problem, the dentist will refer the patient to the appropriate specialist to improve the quality of sleep. Take muscle relaxants before bedtime and more.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/symptoms-causes/syc-20356095
