What is teeth grinding and clenching?
Summary: Bruxism, a widespread yet often overlooked issue, involves teeth grinding and jaw clenching, occurring both during the day and at night.
Key takeaways:
Its causes are multifaceted, including genetic, environmental, and psychological factors, and it's often linked with stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders
Diagnosis typically involves dental examination, while treatment includes self-care, stress management and improving sleep hygiene.
Early detection and treatment are key to preventing long-term dental and health problems.
What is teeth grinding and clenching?
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching, also known as bruxism, is a common yet often overlooked condition affecting millions of people worldwide.
Teeth grinding (or bruxism) refers to the act of forcefully rubbing or ‘gnashing’ your upper and lower teeth together. Teeth clenching involves tightly pressing the teeth together and can sometimes be called ‘bracing’ your jaw. Bruxism can occur both during the day (known as awake bruxism) and at night (sleep bruxism), with the latter being more common and difficult to control.
a. Awake Bruxism - This involves the clenching of teeth and jaw muscles during the day, due to many different factors which include concentration, stress, or anxiety.
b. Sleep Bruxism - This occurs during sleep and often goes unnoticed.
Causes
The exact cause of bruxism remains unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic, environmental and psychological factors. It may run in families, suggesting some form of a role for genetics. That doesn’t mean that all members of the same family will be affected in the same way. Genetic susceptibility is simply one factor among others that make bruxism more likely.
Stress and anxiety are often involved subconsciously during sleep or concentration, along with caffeine, tobacco consumption and certain medications. A link with sleep disorders, especially sleep apnea, exists. Understanding these factors can help manage bruxism more effectively.
Symptoms
Teeth grinding and clenching can result in various symptoms, including (but not limited to):
Tooth pain and sensitivity
Worn or cracked tooth enamel
Cracked or chipped teeth
Jaw pain and stiffness
Headaches and earaches
Disrupted sleep
Long-term consequences can include tooth loss, and changes in facial appearance (enlargement of one or both masseter (chewing) muscles). It is not always the case that people who experience bruxism go on to develop a Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) but a proportion suffer from both bruxism and TMD.
Diagnosis
Dentists may be able to identify bruxism by examining the teeth for signs of wear or damage. However, it is possible that wear or damage may have occurred some time ago and the bruxism has stopped. Dental professionals may also ask about symptoms and sleep habits. In some cases, a referral to a specialist may be necessary for a definitive diagnosis.
Treatment and management
Treatment for teeth grinding and clenching varies depending on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. It is difficult to completely stop teeth grinding and clenching but there are ways to minimise and manage it’s symptoms. Common options include:
Self-care and management: Aimed at relieving painful symptoms through strategies such as thermal therapy (heat or ice), self-massage, jaw exercises and eating a softer diet. Also identifying behaviours that may aggravate symptoms such as nail biting, chewing gum and rolling lips together.
Stress management: This may focus on reducing stress and anxiety through relaxation or similar techniques. Equally, boosting more positive and enjoyable activities including exercise may help alleviate bruxism. This can be done independently following guidance. For some, professional help from a therapist or mental health professional may provide additional support.
Dental interventions: A dental professional may recommend a custom-made mouthguard (known as a splint) to protect the teeth and jaw from damage during sleep.
Sleep hygiene: Improving sleep habits and addressing any underlying sleep disorders can help reduce nighttime teeth grinding.
Unfortunately, there are no medications or injections (such as Botox) that have been proven uniformly effective for stopping bruxism or that help reduce it. Any medications given are usually to help with any pain caused within the muscles that move the jaw by the repeated habit of bruxism.
Teeth grinding and clenching is a very common condition that can lead to significant dental and overall health issues. Identifying the problem early and seeking appropriate treatment is crucial in preventing long-term damage. If you suspect that you or a loved one may be suffering from bruxism, consult with a dentist for a thorough evaluation.
