Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a condition that frequently occurs at night while sleeping. One study estimates that up to 8 percent of Americans struggle with sleep bruxism. When the teeth grind or rub together, it not only poses a threat to the health of the teeth, but it also puts an incredible amount of stress on the jaw. But if you’re grinding your teeth at night, how can you know that you’re doing it and how can you control it? At Country Club Dental Flagstaff, we are familiar with these concerns and would like to discuss the causes, symptoms and treatments for bruxism.
What Causes Bruxism?
The cause of sleep bruxism is not always obvious. And people who grind their teeth at night are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring or sleep apnea. By far, the leading cause of teeth grinding at night is stress and anxiety. An estimated 18 percent of the population struggle with an anxiety disorder and teeth grinding is a common and unfortunate side effect.
Other potential causes of bruxism include:
- Misaligned teeth and bites
- Complications caused by health disorders
- A side effect of certain medications.
- Normal growth and development in children
- Traumatic brain injuries
What are Teeth Grinding Symptoms?
Although sleep bruxism occurs while we’re not conscious, there are reasons to suspect you may be grinding your teeth at night. A few symptoms of teeth grinding include:
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Pain and stiffness in the jaw and surrounding muscles
- Disrupted sleep (for you or your partner)
- Worn-down teeth, which can lead to increased sensitivity and even tooth loss
- Broken teeth or fillings
Is There a Treatment for Bruxism?
There isn’t a clinical way to eliminate teeth grinding, but there are several options to lessen the negative impacts of bruxism. Mouth guards are one of the most common treatments our dentists at Country Club Dental utilize for Bruxism. They function by protecting your teeth from grinding during sleep. In the case of chronic bruxism, where fracture, loosening, or loss of teeth has occurred, treatment often includes bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures, and even complete dentures.
If stress or anxiety are causing you to grind your teeth, ask your doctor or dentist about options to reduce your stress. Attending stress counseling, starting an exercise program, seeing a physical therapist, or obtaining a prescription for muscle relaxants are among some of the options that may be offered.
If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth, one of our dentists here at Country Club Dental can examine your mouth and jaw for signs of bruxism and help you create a plan for treatment. Give us a call today: 928-526-4314.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use. Image by StockSnap from Pixabay (1/23/2020)
