Bruxism (Clenching/Grinding Teeth )
Bruxism is the unconscious act of clenching and/or grinding of the teeth.
It is estimated that at least 10% of the population will suffer from bruxism at any one time. This percentage also seems to be increasing.
It is estimated that at least 10% of the population will suffer from bruxism at any one time. This percentage also seems to be increasing.
Causes of Bruxism
The causes of bruxism is not fully known, though several conditions are known to be linked to bruxism.
These include:
The causes of bruxism is not fully known, though several conditions are known to be linked to bruxism.
These include:
- Stress
- Sleep disorders such as snoring & sleep apneoa
- Drinking alcohol excessively before going to sleep
- Smoking
- Drug use
- Depression or other anxiety related disorder
Effects of teeth grinding or clenching
There are a number of different effects.
These range from
Tooth wear & breakage
However, bruxism is a destructive condition. Normal chewing and eating does not cause wear or damage to your teeth. If you suffer from bruxism, you are putting your teeth and gums under massive amounts of pressure. During sleep, there is no feedback mechanism to tell your brain that your teeth are hurting because of too much pressure, hence we can put up to 40 times the amount of pressure on our teeth whilst we sleep - it is no surprise to see a lot of damage.
The most common sign of bruxism is shortened front teeth (incisal wear). However, in more severe cases, we see signs of cracks in enamel, abfractions (enamel loss at gum level), gum recession, bone overgrowths broken cusps of molar teeth, and damage to restorations (crowns & bridges) and even nerves start to die in teeth.
Temporomandibular Joint Pain
This often results from frequent periods of bruxing. Clenching/grinding the teeth puts pressure on the jaw joint(Temporomandibular joint) and the muscles around the jaw. It can cause a lot of pain and difficulty with chewing.
lower jaw.
These range from
- Headaches - Bruxism sufferers are three times more likely to suffer from headaches
- Jaw joint and jaw muscles aches
- Difficulty with opening the mouth
- Tooth wear and breakage
- Sleep disruption
Tooth wear & breakage
However, bruxism is a destructive condition. Normal chewing and eating does not cause wear or damage to your teeth. If you suffer from bruxism, you are putting your teeth and gums under massive amounts of pressure. During sleep, there is no feedback mechanism to tell your brain that your teeth are hurting because of too much pressure, hence we can put up to 40 times the amount of pressure on our teeth whilst we sleep - it is no surprise to see a lot of damage.
The most common sign of bruxism is shortened front teeth (incisal wear). However, in more severe cases, we see signs of cracks in enamel, abfractions (enamel loss at gum level), gum recession, bone overgrowths broken cusps of molar teeth, and damage to restorations (crowns & bridges) and even nerves start to die in teeth.
Temporomandibular Joint Pain
This often results from frequent periods of bruxing. Clenching/grinding the teeth puts pressure on the jaw joint(Temporomandibular joint) and the muscles around the jaw. It can cause a lot of pain and difficulty with chewing.
lower jaw.
Treatment
There is no cure for bruxism. However reducing stress levels or improving sleep patterns may help many suffers. For suffers night guards can protect the teeth.
Other therapies that are used for symptoms of Bruxism
Other therapies that are used for symptoms of Bruxism
- Physiotherapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Anti-depressants
Nightguards
Here at Dentist Rathmines we can provide custom made nightguards. This nightguard relieves the pressure of grinding or clenching and helps protect the teeth.
