Bruxism, AKA Teeth grinding

Written by Administrator

Most people grind their teeth once in a while. Occasional teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is not harmful. Sleep bruxism, however, is a different story. Many people grind their teeth -- excessively, unconsciously and involuntarily -- night after night while they are sleeping, and wake up the next day with sore jaw muscles. Over time, their sleep bruxism can wear down their teeth and cause severe damage to their gums.

In the worst cases, chronic grinding can wear formerly healthy teeth down to stumps, or cause the gums to loosen their hold on teeth until the teeth fall out. In these emergencies, dentists can come to the rescue with bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, and partial or even complete dentures. However, severe grinding that goes untreated can also damage jaws, cause hearing loss, and even change facial appearance.

Because teeth grinding often occurs during sleep, most people with sleep bruxism are unaware that they have the disease. Some may learn of their condition from loved ones who sleep nearby and hear their teeth grinding at night. Another telltale sign of sleep bruxism is a dull, constant headache or sore jaw during the day. Although sleep bruxism is sometimes a result of stress and anxiety, it is caused primarily by physiological factors such as an abnormal bite, or missing or crooked teeth. Sleep bruxism also tends not to occur by itself; instead, it keeps close company with other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or REM sleep behavior disorder.

People who suspect they may be grinding their teeth would do well to pay a visit to a dentist who can examine their mouths and jaws for symptoms such as jaw tenderness and abnormalities in their teeth.   After finding symptoms, the dentist can supply them with mouth guards, one of the best available treatments for sleep bruxism. The mouth guard fits over teeth and prevents them from grinding against each other.

The problem of nighttime teeth grinding is not limited to adults. Approximately 15% to 33% of children have sleep bruxism, particularly at times when their new teeth are coming in.   The habit usually fades away as the teeth finish growing.   As is the case with adults, children may grind their teeth because the upper and lower teeth are not aligned perfectly. Other possible causes include nutritional deficiencies, pinworm, allergies, and endocrine disorders, as well as anxiety and stress.

If children grind their baby teeth, there are unlikely to be serious complications, but bruxism among older children whose adult teeth are coming in can have more long-lasting effects. Children with any of the symptoms described below should consult with a pediatric dentist.   In particular, older children may need to wear temporary crowns or night guards to prevent grinding.

Bruxism among older children may cause chronic jaw aches (also known as temporomandibular disorders or TMD) Common symptoms of TMD include lockjaw; difficulty with chewing or biting; pain, tenderness or a "tired feeling" in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when chewing, speaking or opening the mouth wide; facial swelling; toothaches; headaches; neckaches; dizziness; earaches; and hearing problems. TMD is a worst-case scenario, however.    Less severe consequences of bruxism include headaches and wear and tear on the teeth.

Since bruxism is sometimes a side effect of stress, patients who grind their teeth may benefit from psychological counseling and stress reduction exercises. Other medical options include physical therapy, or even prescription medication that helps relax muscles.

However, natural remedies can work just as well as medication. Some foods and activities increase the likelihood of teeth grinding and jaw clenching, and are best avoided. These include:

Caffeinated food and drinks -- no colas, chocolate or coffee!
Alcohol, because teeth-grinding increases after drinking
Chewing gum, which causes jaw muscles to clench and therefore increases the likeliness of teeth grinding;
Chewing anything that isn't food, such as pencils or pens.

Patients can also train themselves to avoid clenching or grinding their teeth by placing the tips of their tongues between their teeth, which helps relax the jaw. Patting one's cheeks and earlobes with a warm washcloth at night is also a good jaw-relaxation technique.

Parents of children with sleep bruxism have several natural-remedy options as well. Any effort to reduce the child's stress right before bedtime is likely to help relax the jaws and stop the grinding; massage and stretching exercises are among the best techniques for this. Dehydration can intensify teeth grinding, so children should drink plenty of water.

If the sleep bruxism is serious enough to cause TMD, several self-care strategies that may help reduce symptoms. These include

The daily application of moist heat or cold packs on the side of the face, combined with jaw-stretching exercises;
Eating soft foods that do not require much chewing
Non-prescription medications that relieve muscle pain and swelling, such as aspirin or ibuprofin.

All in all, the problem of teeth grinding during sleep can be painful, both for children and for adults, but it responds quickly to simple treatments.