Do you ever find yourself clenching your teeth when you’re feeling particularly anxious about something? Maybe it happens when you’re stressed out about work or have a big project due for school. Or maybe you’re just one of the millions of Americans who experience chronic teeth grinding, otherwise known as bruxism! Experts estimate that about 1 in every 5 adults spends a significant part of every day grinding their teeth without even realizing it. Teeth grinding has several types, causes, and treatments. And while it’s a common occurrence, chronic teeth grinding can lead to several dental issues, including
- excessive wear and tear of the tooth enamel
- chipped or loose teeth
- teeth with a “flattened” appearance
- tooth pain or increased sensitivity
- tired or tight jaw muscles
- trouble opening or closing the jaw completely
- jaw, neck or face pain or soreness
- earache-like pain
- headaches
- interrupted sleep
Here at Accent Smile Center, our goal is to help every patient have the best, brightest, and healthiest smile possible. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at what bruxism actually is, the possible causes, and how our expert team can help you get a handle on it! Keep reading below for more information.
The basics of bruxism
As noted above, the technical term for teeth grinding is bruxism. We use this to describe any type of involuntary and excessive grinding, clenching, or rubbing of the teeth that happens outside of normal chewing, swallowing, or speaking movements. There are three basic types of bruxism, each of which may require a different treatment approach.
Sleep bruxism
This is the most common type of teeth grinding, and it occurs only (or mostly) during the hours a patient is asleep. If this is something you’ve experienced, you may not even be aware of it! Anyone nearby has probably noticed it, however, and has likely been awakened by the sound once or twice.
Awake bruxism
This type of bruxism is a bit less common, but it does tend to be easier to identify and treat. We frequently see awake bruxism in patients who clench their teeth tightly or grind them when they are feeling anxious or under a great deal of stress.
Children’s bruxism
We often see an increase in bruxism when a child’s baby teeth come in, and again when they’re permanent teeth are erupting. In many cases, children outgrow the teeth grinding habit in their teens or early adulthood. If it continues beyond then, treatment may be necessary.
What causes teeth grinding? What are the risk factors?
While we don’t fully understand what causes bruxism, experts believe it’s likely due to a combination of physical, psychological, and genetic factors. We’ll highlight some of these here.
Sleep disorders
This is one of the most common issues associated with teeth grinding. In fact, almost a quarter of all people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) also experience sleep bruxism. In fact, one of the main risk factors for sleep-related bruxism is OSA! Teeth grinding often happens after an OSA episode as part of a survival mechanism to open the airway.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is another sleep-related disorder with a connection to teeth grinding. Those who deal with chronic snoring and sleep talking may also have a higher likelihood of developing bruxism.
Stress and anxiety
Stress and anxiety are two of the biggest contributors to developing bruxism. teeth grinding. Fortunately, there are also many ways to address them! If you tend to be naturally anxious, or have noticed an increase in your teeth grinding due to recent stress, it can help to explore various relaxation methods. These might include deep breathing, calming music, meditation, walking outside, or a long bath before bed.
Malocclusions
We see this in children more often than adults, but patients of any age can have misalignment between their teeth and jaw that may lead to teeth grinding. A dental specialist like Dr. Gatgens is trained to recognize orthodontic issues like these and will be able to recommend the appropriate treatment for them. Some malocclusions can even be treated here in our office using the Six Month Smiles and Clear Correct systems!
Medications, medical conditions, and genetic
There are certain medications and medical conditions for which bruxism can be a side effect, particularly neurological conditions. Teeth grinding can also be inherited. If others in your family have ever experienced bruxism, you’re more likely to develop it as well.
How can bruxism be prevented or treated?
If teeth grinding has been causing issues for you, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Gatgens. He’ll conduct a thorough examination of your teeth and be able to determine if the grinding is causing any damage. further treatment will be recommended. The good news is, there are many different ways to help reduce or eliminate the symptoms associated with bruxism!
Lifestyle changes
Bruxism can be a side effect of using certain substances, such as tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, and some medications for depression and anxiety. Cutting down on or limiting the use of these substances may help your teeth grinding problems disappear.
Stress and anxiety management
We’ve already mentioned it a few times, but a large percentage of bruxism cases are caused in part by stress and anxiety. Relaxation techniques, therapy, and regular exercise can help relieve some of the negative emotions that may put—and keep!—your teeth on edge.
Jaw exercises and massage
Gently stretching and massaging the jaw muscles can help relax them and prevent the jaw from clenching at night. Applying hot packs or a warm washcloth to the area can also be helpful.
Mouthguards and splints
A dentist like Dr. Gatgens can prescribe mouthguards or splints to create a physical barrier between the upper and lower teeth. This helps prevent further wear and tear to your teeth from the grinding, but keep in mind that it won’t treat the bruxism itself.
Botox® injections
This method can be more effective than other treatments, and is generally reserved for more extreme cases of teeth grinding. Botox® is injected directly into the masseter muscles of the jaw to help weaken and relax them, which helps to prevent involuntary teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
Treat underlying conditions or associated disorders
The diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions which are associated with bruxism can improve the symptoms. This includes sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), among others. Dr. Gatgens is experienced in successfully treating OSA, so if this is at the root of your teeth grinding, you’ll be in the best hands with our team!
Give your teeth a break from bruxism with Accent Smile Center
As with any health condition, it’s important to find the root cause of the problem in order to find an appropriate treatment. If you’re experiencing problems with teeth grinding, get in touch with our office to see what treatment options could be right for you!
Our expert team will be able to help reduce the amount of grinding and prevent any further damage, and Dr. Gatgens can also treat any damage that is already present. This may involve treating any obvious underlying causes, such as reducing stress and anxiety, as well as proactive treatment like a mouthguard made specifically for your teeth.
Have you been losing sleep or struggling to get through the day due to teeth grinding? We’re here to help you rest better and start smiling again! If you’re in Dickson or the surrounding areas, get in touch with us today and let us help you protect your smile.