Bruxism is a condition in which a person unconsciously clenches their jaw and even grinds their teeth. It usually happens while we sleep and causes various problems, such as muscle pain, headaches or tooth wear. In this complete guide to bruxism: causes and treatment, we explain why it appears, who it affects and what options there are to stop it.
Causes of bruxism: why you clench your teeth
- Problems in the mouth. Some problems that can lead to bruxism are a broken tooth that rubs against another, a missing tooth that makes the rest shift, or a bite that does not fit properly. To solve this, the best thing is to see your dentist so they can find the problem and apply the most suitable treatment.
- Sleep disorders. Because they affect sleep quality, they can create tension in the jaw.
- Anxiety or stress. This is the most common cause. The situations that make us anxious build up during the day until night comes, and this can cause tension in the jaw and, therefore, friction. It is hard to remove the sources of stress, but you can learn to manage them (we look at this in depth in our article on stress-related bruxism and habits to help you relax).
- Alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. Some studies state that regular consumption of alcohol, caffeine and tobacco doubles the likelihood of bruxism compared with people who do not consume them.
Who does it affect?
In general, it affects both sexes and people of any age, although it is more common between the ages of 15 and 25. It usually goes away on its own, but it can become chronic and, as a result, wear the teeth down. It can also cause sleep disorders.
Depending on the way you press on your teeth, bruxism can be:
- Centric. The teeth are clenched at one specific point, with very little side-to-side movement, so the area most affected is the neck of the teeth, especially the premolars.
- Eccentric. There is an oblique movement in which the teeth rub backwards and forwards, which causes tooth enamel wear. The teeth most affected are the incisors.
It can happen during the day, unconsciously and at stressful moments, or at night during sleep, in stages 2 and 3 of non-REM sleep. Episodes of night-time bruxism can add up to between 15 and 40 minutes in total over 8 hours of rest.
How can bruxism be prevented?
Because it is an unconscious disorder, the person who has it does not do it on purpose. To prevent it, the first step is to find its causes, which may be sleep disorders, anxiety, stress, an abnormal bite or missing teeth, among others. If the cause is found, we can make the bruxism go away.
While we work on removing the cause, the ideal is to look for ways to stop the problem getting worse. With daytime bruxism, you should consciously try not to clench or grind your teeth. When that does not work, an occlusal splint can be used.
If the bruxism happens at night, controlling it consciously is much harder. That is why we recommend occlusal splints, which stop the teeth rubbing together and prevent the noise and the wear.
Symptoms of bruxism
With bruxism, the person clenches their teeth and overloads the tissues, muscles and other structures of the jaw. These are the most common symptoms (if your main one is jaw pain when you wake up, we explain how to recognise it in detail):
- Sensitivity in the muscles and teeth. Especially in the morning. When the teeth are damaged, it is common to notice sensitivity to the temperature of food and drinks, or when chewing.
- Pain in the teeth, jaw, neck and head. Pressing on the area creates tension in the surrounding areas, which causes pain and inflammation. Sometimes the pain can reach the ears.
- Changes in the bite. When pressure is applied to the jaw continuously, the original bite often changes.
- Fractured or worn teeth or enamel. If you keep clenching on the same area, the teeth there become weaker and more serious damage can appear.
- Neck problems. Strong pressure on the jaw can lead to neck contractures, because the two structures are so close, and with them vertigo or dizziness.
- Insomnia. Sleep quality can suffer, from not being quite right to being very poor, because of the pressure or tension in the jaw.
Consequences of bruxism
It is true that some people do not show symptoms, but this condition can cause:
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Tension
- Temporomandibular joint problems
- Insomnia
- Tooth sensitivity to sweet foods, heat and cold
Bruxism treatment: what are the options?
Bruxism treatment is based on preventing the abnormal movement of the teeth, to stop enamel wear and allow it to recover, as well as tackling the physical or psychological causes that may have triggered it or may do so in future.
When the damage to the enamel is clear and there is night-time bruxism, the best option is usually a custom-made occlusal splint (night guard), worn at night to stop the teeth grinding and the enamel deteriorating. If you want to know what it is like, which types exist and how to look after it, read our guide on what an occlusal splint is and how to care for it.
If anxiety is causing the bruxism, the most important thing is to find different ways of dealing with it, such as relaxation techniques, massage of the jaw area, good sleep hygiene and even, if necessary, anti-anxiety medication, sleeping pills or muscle relaxants.
It is best to see your dentist as soon as you suspect you have bruxism, to stop the problem getting worse and find the most suitable solution. At Clínica Dental Acosta Cubero we see patients from Vélez-Málaga, Torre del Mar and the whole Axarquía, and we can tell you about bruxism treatment with an occlusal splint and the other options. Book your appointment and we will help you.
