WHAT IS BRUXISM (TEETH GRINDING)
Bruxism is the medical term for the involuntary, subconscious grinding or clenching of teeth. It can happen when asleep or even when awake. While anyone can develop bruxism, it is more common during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood.
Many people grind their teeth every now and then, especially during stress, but if it happens frequently, it can put extra strain on the teeth and jaws, and related muscles.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS
Bruxism may not be diagnosed if it is mild and occurs during sleep. However, in some it may manifest as:
- Dental damage or tooth erosion
- Jaw pain and soreness, difficulty in opening and closing the mouth and eating, can sometimes precipitate temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
- Headaches, facial pain
- Earache, twitching, or tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Reduced quality of sleep and increased risk of sleep disorders
If occurring during waking hours, diagnosis is easier, and the person can be made more conscious and aware of this tendency to control it. However, bruxism occurring during sleep may need an overnight in-clinic sleep study for diagnosis.
WHAT CAUSES OR INCREASES THE RISK OF BRUXISM
- Stress, anxiety, and depression
- Lifestyle habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and consuming a lot of caffeine (many and frequent cups of coffee daily).
- Medicines like anti-anxiety drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
- Sleep apnea may cause bruxism or the other way around (still being researched).
Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) – Jaw connection
While bruxism does not directly cause nasal congestion, underlying nasal blockage (due to allergic rhinitis, cold, or deviated nasal septum) forces mouth breathing, which causes dry mouth, altered jaw position, and a drop in oxygen, which can trigger the jaw to clench or grind and even disrupt sleep.
The muscle tension involved in clenching can stress the nearby facial muscles, causing sensations of blockage or sinus pressure, and facial pain, making the congestion feel much worse.
If there are symptoms of dry mouth, scratchy throat on waking, snoring, feeling a fullness in the face, nasal stuffiness, or ear discomfort, an ENT consultation should be sought.
HOW DO YOU TREAT BRUXISM
Mild or infrequent bruxism does not need formal treatment.
Exercises to relieve jaw tension are recommended 2-3 times daily with 3-5 repetitions. These include:
- Pressing the front of your tongue lightly against the roof of your mouth (without touching your teeth) and holding.
- Placing fingers on the jaw joints below the ears, slow mouth opening, holding for 5 to 10 seconds, and closing slowly.
- With thumb or fist under your chin, opening mouth gently while applying light upward pressure to create resistance.
- Slow movements of the lower jaw from left to right as far as possible without pain or forcing.
In more severe cases, the following may be considered:
- Stress management and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy)
- Reduction in caffeine and alcohol consumption
- Quitting smoking
- Muscle relaxant medication at bedtime (can be tried temporarily)
- Mouth guards, designed and customized by a dentist to protect the teeth, and relax the jaw to reduce grinding and TMJ strain
- Botulinum toxin injection is used in very severe cases with jaw pain to temporarily relax the jaw muscles and reduce pain. Repeat injections are usually needed every 3-4 months.
IS BRUXISM A LONG-TERM OR SERIOUS PROBLEM
Children and adolescents often outgrow bruxism by adulthood. In many cases, bruxism eventually goes away.
For adult teeth grinding, lifestyle changes, stress management, and when needed, mouth guards worn regularly can help significantly.
Bruxism is not known to create any serious or life-threatening problems.
Also read:
Snoring and Sleep Apnea – Causes and Simple Lifestyle Solutions