How to Stop Grinding Teeth

Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Grinding / Bruxism

Posted on 23. Apr, 2010 by Ben in Grinding Teeth

Do you suffer from painful jaws or experience headaches in the morning? Have your teeth become more sensitive to cold, touch, or other stimuli? Does your spouse complain that you keep him or her up all night? If so you may be one of the millions of people who unknowingly suffer from bruxism, or more commonly, teeth grinding.

What is Bruxism ?

Bruxism, commonly known as teeth grinding, is the the clenching together of the bottom and upper jaw accompanied by the grinding of the lower set of teeth with the upper set. Bruxism affects between 10-50% of the population depending on the particular study sited. Bruxism is a subconscious behavior so many people do not realize that they are doing it ! Often it is the partner who tells them about the nighttime sounds that their bruxism produces.

Although it can occur during the time that you’re awake, bruxism more frequently occurs while we sleep. During sleep, the biting force (the force at which the jaws clench together) can be up to six times greater than the pressure during waking hours. Consequently, significant damage is much more likely to occur with this night-time teeth grinding.

What is bruxism?

If you wake up with dull headaches or vice-like pain around your jaw joints or temples, you may be one of many people who grind their teeth at night. Many people are unaware they even have the disorder (called bruxism) because it often occurs at night during sleep. Visit your dentist if you’re not sure, because they can usually detect the tell-tale signs of wear on your teeth. Bruxism is the technical term for grinding and clenching that wears down your teeth and may cause facial pain. People who grind and clench, called bruxers, unintentionally bite down too hard at inappropriate times, such as in their sleep. In addition to grinding teeth, bruxers may also bite their fingernails, pencils and chew the inside of their cheek. People usually aren’t diagnosed with bruxism until it is too late because so many people don’t realize they have the habit. Others mistakenly believe that their teeth must touch at all times. About one in four people suffer from bruxism, which can easily be treated by a dentist.

What are the signs of bruxism / teeth grinding?

Surprisingly, teeth grinding is a common occurrence among many people at some time or another. However, if you develop facial pain, fatigue or other problems, treatment may be needed for your teeth grinding condition. Talk with your dentist if you suspect that you are grinding your teeth. During regular dental visits, dentists usually check for physical signs of bruxism. If your dentist notices signs of bruxism, the condition may be observed over several visits to be sure of the problem before recommending and starting bruxism therapy.

Here are some symptoms of teeth grinding: The tips of your teeth look flat, or your teeth are worn down so much that the enamel is rubbed off, exposing the inside of the tooth (known as dentin). When exposed, dentin may become sensitive. Bruxers may also experience pain in their temporomandibular joint (TMJ) – or more commonly, the jaw – which may manifest itself as popping and clicking. Women, who are more susceptible to TMD, also have a higher prevalence of bruxism possibly because they are more likely to experience tissue alterations in the jaw resulting from clenching and grinding. Tongue indentations are another sign of clenching. Stress and certain personality types are more likely to suffer from teeth grinding / bruxism. Teeth grinding has also tended to affect people with nervous tension, anger, pain and/or frustration. People with personality types that are aggressive, competitive and hurried also may be at greater risk for teeth grinding.

Can bruxism / teeth grinding cause harm?

Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can either directly or indirectly cause many problems. Clearly, teeth grinding can cause your teeth to become painful or loose. It’s not unusual to hear of bruxers who literally grind away parts of their teeth, leaving them with worn surfaces or fractured teeth enamel. People who have otherwise healthy teeth and gums can clench their teeth so often and so hard, that over time their teeth become sensitive and they experience jaw pain and headaches. Forceful biting when not eating may cause the jaw to move out of proper balance.

What causes bruxism?

More research is needed to determine the exact cause of bruxism, but it is thought that both genetic, emotional and physical factors are involved. Some of the contributing factors may be stress or sleep disorders, an abnormal bite or crooked or missing teeth.

What can be done about bruxism?

There are a number of ways to treat bruxism. Your dentist will determine which single treatment or combination of treatments is right for you. When stress is the major cause of bruxism, people need to find ways to relax. People who have difficulty handling stress may need to seek counseling or the dentist may prescribe muscle relaxants to relax jaw muscles. Many times dentists will prescribe a night guard, which prevents damage form grinding that occurs during sleep. To help alleviate muscle pain, physical therapy may be needed. The objective of therapy is to get the bruxer to change behavior by learning how to rest the tongue, teeth and lips properly. When some people become aware of their problem, simply advising them to rest their tongue upward with teeth apart and lips shut may be enough to change their behavior and relieve discomfort. However, the dentist can make a plastic mouth appliance, such as a night guard that’s worn to absorb the force of biting which causes damage and pain and also helps to change patient behavior.

Why might a night guard or other protective appliance be advisable?

If designed correctly, nighttime appliances help keep teeth from moving, protect ceramic restorations, and protect teeth from wear damage caused by grinding or clenching. A night guard is a plastic mouth guard worn at night to prevent tooth grinding. A bite plate is a removable plastic device, which prevents teeth from coming together. In some cases, such as with an overbite, it may eventually improve the bite. A method used to treat the damage caused by more serious cases of grinding involves reshaping or reconstruction of the biting surfaces with crowns or inlays or a full mouth.

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