Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is experienced by an estimated 15% of children and 10% of people overall. Most of the time, the grinding occurs at night, during sleep. There is some evidence that bruxism can run in families, although men and women are affected with it at about the same rate. Smokers and alcohol drinkers experience it more often, being twice as likely to have the condition. For some people, the risk of bruxism decreases with age.
One of the first signs many people have that they are grinding their teeth at night is waking up with a sore jaw and/or a dull headache from clenching. Here are some other warning signs that you may be experiencing episodes of bruxism:
Because the symptoms of bruxism can mimic other health issues or conditions, it is important to make an appointment to see your dentist if you are experiencing any or all of these.
For many people, bruxism is caused — or aggravated by — too much stress. But certain personality types are more prone to it. People that are competitive, hurried, and aggressive as well as those experiencing nervous tension, frustration, anger, or pain can also experience bruxism.
Bruxism is often seen in people with specific medical conditions or mental health disorders such as dementia, epilepsy, night terrors, sleep apnea, Parkinson’s disease, and even gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
If you are seeing your dentist on a regular basis, he or she will be checking your teeth periodically for signs of wear. In fact, it isn’t uncommon for a dentist to uncover the possibility of bruxism before the patient even notices anything amiss. If you think you may have bruxism, you should make an appointment with your oral care professional immediately to determine whether or not you are grinding your teeth. They will consider both any symptoms you are experiencing as well as conduct a thorough oral examination.
There are several ways to treat bruxism:
Most people with bruxism grind their teeth at night (sleep bruxism) versus during the daytime (active bruxism). For this reason, a strong mouthguard worn during sleeping hours can help to absorb the destructive force of your bite and minimize the damage done to teeth. While you can buy over-the-counter versions of mouthguards, these are not as strong — or as comfortable — as those created by your dentist.
To fit you with a mouthguard, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth. This impression will be sent to a laboratory where, using cutting-edge technology, they will create a mouthguard that conforms perfectly to your teeth. Professionally made custom-created mouthguards are much more comfortable and protective then cheaper models and will last longer, as well. Once you have your mouthguard, you will simply wear it every night while you sleep. If you tend to take naps during the day, you can wear it then as well.
Your dentist can also adjust the way your top and bottom teeth meet to alleviate bruxism and reduce the chance of grinding. After an oral exam, your dentist can perform this quick and painless bite adjustment right in the office.
Since some bruxism is correlated with stress and specific personality types, you can work with a health care provider to find ways to relieve excess stress and tension. Some people find that exercise and meditation can help, but there are myriad ways to help control and reduce stress in your life. For some people that are grinding their teeth due to pain, a doctor may prescribe pain relief medications to reduce pain flare-ups that can contribute to bruxism.
If you are experiencing active bruxism, or grinding that happens during the day, you can be taught to position your mouth in a specific way to reduce the inclination to grind. The position involves keeping lips together while the teeth are separated, and the tongue is touching the roof of the mouth. You will be asked to repeat the position over and over until it becomes second nature.
While it seems like a small thing at first, bruxism can contribute to wear and tear on teeth so severe that it results in tooth loss over time. At Dentist of Gardena, we know that if you identify — and treat — bruxism early on, there is a high chance of a very good outcome.
For our clients in Gardena, our routine oral care checkups will typically uncover any evidence of tooth grinding. But, if you are experiencing headaches, jaw soreness, cheek biting, or any of the other symptoms of bruxism you can let us know. If we find evidence of grinding, we can support you by creating a custom-fitted mouthguard that will not only be comfortable, but also protect your smile from wear and tear.
Concerned about teeth grinding at night? Contact us at (424) 321-7470 and come in for an oral examination today!