Bruxism is the medical term for tooth grinding or jaw clenching. It is when one unconsciously clenches their jaw or grinds their teeth, and it can happen when awake or asleep. According to somnomed.com, about 25 million Americans experience bruxism. This blog post will go over the harms of bruxism, how to know if you clench or grind your teeth, and what to do to fix it.
Causes
Before we talk about bruxism, we must first understand what causes it. Bruxism is often caused by anxiety. When you are anxious, the body finds ways to relieve itself of tension, which sometimes arises in the form of unconsciously clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth. However, this condition can also be caused by an abnormal bite, a misaligned jaw, or missing or crooked teeth. Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, can also cause teeth grinding.
Am I Grinding My Teeth?
Many people who grind their teeth only do so at night while they are sleeping, which means that they are unaware that they do it. One telltale sign is if you notice a dull headache or sore jaw when you wake up in the morning. You can also ask your partner if they hear you grinding your teeth at night. If you have suspicions, ask your dentist. They will be able to examine your teeth and jaw to look for signs of clenching and grinding.Harms
Grinding your teeth every now and then won’t do too much damage. However, chronic cases of bruxism can be disastrous. If left untreated, bruxism can cause teeth to become cracked, fractured, or loose. Typically, the constant grinding can wear teeth down to stumps, which may require crowns, root canals, implants, or dentures to be fixed. If the tooth is worn down or broken beyond repair, it can even require a tooth extraction. Additionally, the tension can cause straining in the jaw and neck muscles and painful headaches. It can change the appearance of your face, damage your TMJ, and cause or worsen TMD.
Remedies
Before figuring out the cause of your bruxism, you must first protect your teeth. Ask your dentist for a custom fitted mouth guard to wear at night or during the day to shield your teeth from further damage. If stress is the reason why you grind your teeth, your dentist or doctor may set you up with the following treatments: stress counseling, muscle relaxants, anxiety medications, or an exercise program. You may also be referred to a physical therapist.
If your bruxism is caused by a misaligned jaw, you may require surgery to straighten it out. In cases where bruxism is caused by a sleeping disorder, your doctor will treat the sleeping disorder directly, which should consequently stop the bruxism.
Helpful Tips
Aside from these medical remedies, here are some tips you can do at home to prevent teeth grinding and to lessen the pain:
· Lower caffeine consumption – Avoid sugary drinks, sodas, coffee, and candy.
· Avoid alcohol – Drinking alcohol can exacerbate bruxism.
· Avoid mindless chewing – Chewing on gum, pencils, or anything that isn’t food gets your jaw in the habit of clenching and makes you more likely to grind your teeth.
· Train yourself– Once you catch yourself clenching or grinding during the day, stop yourself immediately. Put the tip of your tongue between your teeth to train your jaw muscles to relax, and to help you notice the next time you clench your jaw.
· Ease the pain – To help with the pain, hold a warm washcloth against your cheek in front of your earlobe (where the TMJ is located). You can also take painkillers to reduce jaw, head, and neck pain.
· Massage – Massaging the jaw and neck can relax the muscles and relieve tension. Focus on the pressure points and areas of pain, and work into the muscle with small circles or slow, rhythmic strokes. We recommend looking up TMJ massage techniques to help you pinpoint the correct areas to massage.
