Bruxism Explained: Why Teeth Grinding Happens And How It Is Treated

What Is Bruxism?

Did your dentist diagnose you with bruxism and make you wonder, ‘What is bruxism?’ The definitions of bruxism and teeth grinding can be interchangeable. Bruxism refers to involuntarily grinding or clenching your teeth together, which can occur while you are awake or asleep. Many people who grind their teeth at night are not aware of the habit and may not be informed until told by a sleep partner or dental professional. Early diagnosis and treatment by a dental professional are key to preventing serious issues like chronic tooth sensitivity, irreversible tooth enamel loss, jaw pain (TMJ disorders), headaches, and damaged dental restorations.

Types Of Bruxism

There are two main types of bruxism: sleep bruxism and awake bruxism. They differ not only based on when the habit occurs, but also by symptoms and triggers. Unfortunately, both types of bruxism are harmful to your oral health and require professional management to prevent several health consequences.

Sleep Bruxism

Sleep bruxism is defined as the unconscious grinding or clenching of teeth during sleep. Sleep disorders, particularly sleep apnea, are commonly linked to one of the primary causes of sleep bruxism. Tell-tale symptoms include morning headaches and jaw pain. Chronic sleep bruxism can also lead to tooth enamel wear, chipped or fractured teeth, damage to dental work, loose teeth, and even tooth loss if left untreated. Sleep bruxism is often managed by addressing the underlying cause and protective treatment options like custom-made night guards.

Awake Bruxism

Awake bruxism refers to daytime teeth grinding or clenching teeth. Awake bruxism is a conscious or semi-conscious habit that is commonly linked to stress or anxiety. This can lead to jaw soreness throughout the day, increased tooth sensitivity, fractured teeth, headaches, and other issues. Management of awake bruxism often focuses on making conscious behavior changes, stress relief practices, and professional dental treatment.

Common Symptoms And Signs Of Bruxism

Bruxism symptoms can vary from person to person. Teeth grinding symptoms may also develop gradually, which is why it is important to pay attention to even small and subtle signs and symptoms before they progress. If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, or other concerning issues, notify your dental professional immediately.

Early symptoms and signs of bruxism include:

• Jaw Soreness or Stiffness: The gnashing of teeth over time can lead to muscle fatigue. This can lead to jaw pain or difficulty opening your mouth.
• Headaches: Dull headaches, particularly in the morning when waking up, may indicate sleep bruxism.
• Tooth Sensitivity: Teeth grinding and clenching can lead to tooth sensitivity, particularly when consuming hot, cold, or sweet foods or beverages.
• Grinding Noises: Crushing teeth during sleep can produce loud noises that may be heard by your sleep partner or people within your household.
• Sleep Disruption: Teeth grinding commonly leads to poor sleep quality due to frequent awakenings and jaw/facial pain.

Advanced symptoms of bruxism include:

• Cracked or Chipped teeth: Bruxism can lead to significant enamel loss, which makes teeth less durable and more prone to cracks and fractures. The inner dentin tooth layer may also become exposed from enamel loss, which can heighten tooth sensitivity.
• Loose Teeth: Excess pressure from bruxism can make teeth mobile and weaken the supporting bone.
• TMJ Disorders: There is a significant link between teeth grinding and TMJ disorders. Chronic excessive pressure can harm the jaw joints and muscles, triggering pain, inflammation, muscle spasms, and permanent damage. You may notice signs including clicking, popping, or jaw locking.
• Damage to Dental Restorations: Just like your natural teeth, dental restorations such as crowns, fillings, or implants can become dislodged, cracked, or damaged from bruxism.
• Chronic Facial Pain: Your facial muscles and surrounding structures, including your neck and ears, may ache or feel sore due to bruxism.

What Causes Bruxism?

Bruxism causes can vary by individual. Bruxism is linked to many possible causes, including stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, bite or alignment issues, or lifestyle factors. To identify the specific teeth grinding causes for an individual, a comprehensive dental examination is necessary. Here’s what you need to know about possible bruxism causes:

Stress And Anxiety

Increased psychological stress, anxiety, and tension are common causes of bruxism during sleep. Even conscious or semi-conscious daytime clenching has been linked to stress and anxiety. Individuals with anxiety or depression diagnoses have been found to have an increased likelihood of teeth grinding or clenching.

Sleep Disorders

Research suggests a strong link between sleep apnea and bruxism. However, more research is necessary to determine definitive causation. In individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it has been thought that bruxism may occur in response to help reopen the blocked airway during sleep. Bruxism may also contribute to disrupted sleep and poor sleep quality.

Bite Or Alignment Issues

When teeth or the jaws are not in proper position, teeth grinding or clenching may be triggered to compensate. Orthodontics may be recommended to treat bite and teeth misalignment, which in turn helps eliminate uneven biting forces and habits like bruxism.

Lifestyle Factors

Individuals who smoke, consume alcohol, and have a high intake of caffeine are more prone to bruxism than individuals who do not have these lifestyle habits. Certain medications, such as antidepressants, may also increase the likelihood of teeth grinding or clenching.

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How Bruxism Affects Oral Health And Overall Well-Being?

There are several short-term and long-term effects of bruxism worth understanding that can impact your oral health and overall well-being. Teeth grinding damage can be permanent, which is why detecting signs and symptoms early is so important. Early consequences of bruxism may include increased tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods or beverages, mild enamel wear, minor tooth chips, poor sleep quality, daytime fatigue, jaw and facial pain, and headaches. Over time, without treatment, bruxism can lead to long-term issues, including severe enamel loss, tooth fractures, tooth mobility, bone loss, gum recession, damaged dental restorations (i.e., fillings, crowns), and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). Chronic pain and fatigue from bruxism can take a negative toll on your well-being and should be addressed by a healthcare professional as soon as possible to protect your overall health.

How Dentists Diagnose Bruxism?

A dental exam for teeth grinding/gnashing of teeth is needed for accurate diagnosis. Bruxism diagnosis begins with an evaluation of your medical and dental history by your dental professional. They will review your current and past symptoms, lifestyle habits, and sleep patterns. In some cases, you may be referred for sleep assessments (i.e., a polysomnography sleep study) to evaluate if a sleep disorder is a possible underlying cause. During the clinical examination, your dentist will evaluate your oral cavity, jaws, and facial muscles to look for physical signs linked with bruxism. Signs include enamel wear, fractured teeth, damaged dental restorations, jaw tenderness, muscle inflammation, and cheek or tongue damage. Based on your dentist’s findings and the diagnostic tools used, your dentist will identify diagnoses, possible underlying causes, and recommended treatment.

Teeth Grinding Treatment

Teeth grinding solutions are personalized to meet each individual’s unique needs, symptoms, and specific underlying causes. Once your healthcare professional determines the factors contributing to your bruxism, whether it’s from stress, teeth or bite misalignments, sleep disorders, or certain lifestyle habits, a treatment plan will be developed to address the specific causes.

Custom Night Guards Or Mouthguards

A common bruxism treatment option to protect teeth from further damage and reduce jaw strain is custom night guards or mouth guards. Custom night guards for teeth grinding that are made by your dental professional are comfortable and designed to cover all the surfaces of teeth to protect them from harm.

Stress Management And Behavioral Therapy

If stress is determined as a contributing factor, your healthcare professional may recommend relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga, behavioral therapy, counseling, adapting a better sleep routine, or other lifestyle changes to help manage bruxism. Stopping or reducing habits such as caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco use may help reduce bruxism symptoms. For individuals with awake bruxism, habit awareness and training yourself to properly position your tongue and teeth apart may be recommended.

Bite Adjustment Or Orthodontic Treatment

Teeth and bite alignment issues (malocclusion) can trigger bruxism. Orthodontic treatment, such as braces or clear aligners, or bite adjustments to eliminate high spots or tooth interferences, can help reduce excess pressure on the jaw joints.

Muscle Relaxation And Pain Management

Treatment targeting muscle relaxation may help alleviate jaw pain and tension, which may in turn reduce teeth grinding and clenching. In some cases, medication or physical therapy may be recommended. Botox^® injections may also be discussed as a treatment option for moderate to severe bruxism and jaw pain.

Teeth Grinding Treatments

Bruxism In Children Vs Adults

Bruxism in children is common and usually temporary, often resolving on its own when all the baby teeth fall out. As a result, children experiencing bruxism are often monitored by dental professionals during routine check-ups, and intervention may not be required. On the other hand, adult bruxism is commonly linked to stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, or lifestyle factors (i.e., medications, caffeine, smoking, alcohol). Adults often require early intervention to prevent permanent oral health damage. Common adult bruxism treatment and management includes custom-fit mouthguards, stress reduction exercises, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, BOTOX^® injections, bite adjustment, or orthodontic treatment.

Can Bruxism Be Prevented?

To prevent bruxism, it is essential to manage risk factors like stress, poor sleep habits, alcohol use, caffeine intake, smoking, and teeth and bite misalignment. To help prevent stress, simple strategies include implementing daily exercise, meditation, yoga, or counseling. Work on improving daily sleep habits by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and obtaining between 7 and 9 hours each night. Avoid eating and using technology right before bed to allow your body to wind down. It is also recommended to avoid consuming alcohol and caffeine in the evening, as these can promote muscle activity and lead to poor sleep.

Make an effort to consciously relax your jaw to help stop teeth grinding. Try gently massaging your jaws when they feel tight or strained. Avoid chewing hard or chewy foods such as gum and candy, which can promote jaw strain. Be sure to attend your regular dental check-ups and inform your dentist if you suspect you are grinding or clenching. Your dentist can diagnose bruxism and recommend the best course of action to protect your teeth, oral health, and overall well-being.

When To See A Dentist For Teeth Grinding?

Questioning when to see a dentist for bruxism? If you suspect you are grinding your teeth, contact a teeth-grinding dentist right away to prevent the progression of bruxism. Signs and symptoms of bruxism should not be ignored, as the effects can lead to permanent tooth damage and serious health consequences. Early intervention can save you from needing to have more expensive and invasive treatment in the future to repair damage caused by bruxism. Not to mention, your dentist can help alleviate your pain caused by bruxism, improve your sleep quality, and prevent other serious issues like temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).

Warning signs requiring dental care include:

• Worn or Damaged Teeth: Teeth that are worn down, chipped, or fractured should be evaluated by your dentist as soon as possible. Worn teeth may appear yellower in color due to dentin exposure or notably shorter in size.
• Chronic Jaw or Facial Pain: Pain or stiffness in your jaws, facial muscles, or neck may be a sign of sleep bruxism, which should be evaluated by your dental professional promptly.
• Tooth Sensitivity: As enamel becomes worn down, teeth may become more sensitive, especially to hot, cold, or sweet foods or beverages.
• Morning Headaches: Chronic dull headaches in the morning after awakening may indicate bruxism and should be reported immediately.
• Jaw Noises: Sounds of grinding or clenching during sleep, which are often reported by other people within your household, should be noted to your dentist. Other sounds when chewing or opening/closing your mouth, such as clicking or popping, should be reported to your dentist as soon as possible.

How Great Lakes Family Dental Group Can Help With Bruxism?

It’s hard to beat the exceptional patient experience and care that Great Lakes Family Dental Group provides. Our dental specialists focus on patient comfort and long-term protection against various dental issues, including bruxism. Great Lakes Family Dental Group's bruxism treatment is tailored to your unique needs. We offer a range of bruxism services utilizing advanced technology, including a comprehensive evaluation, custom appliances, temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) treatment, orthodontics, and more! If you’ve been searching for the best teeth grinding dentist near you, contact one of our convenient locations to schedule a consultation.