Bruxism is a common dental issue that can affect up to one in three people. It’s the act of consciously or unconsciously grinding your teeth together, either while awake or during sleep.
People often don’t realise that they have bruxism and can cause damage to their teeth, gums, and the inside of their mouths by biting down too hard.
The condition is particularly prevalent among young children and adolescents, with some studies finding that anywhere between 6% and 50% of children grind their teeth during the night.
Long-term effects of bruxism include tooth pain, fractures, and headaches, but fortunately, it’s easy to treat bruxism with the help and guidance of your dentist.
Let’s take a look at bruxism in more detail, as well as some ways in which you can treat this common dental affliction.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the term given to describe the grinding, gnashing, or clenching of your teeth, usually without realising that you’re doing it. Some people clench their teeth during the day, while others do it during the night.
Because bruxism often goes undiagnosed, you must recognise some of the signs and symptoms, so you can seek dental advice where appropriate. If you have bruxism, you will be able to associate with several of the following symptoms:
- Regular teeth grinding or clenching that causes discomfort or pain.
- Disfigured teeth that are either flat, chipped, or loose.
- Damaged enamel.
- Dull headaches.
- Jaw and neck pain.
While there’s no confirmed medical rationale explaining the causes of bruxism, dental experts believe it to be a response to certain emotions while awake or due to associated arousals during sleep.
It’s essential to contact your dentist if you recognise any of the above symptoms in you or your children, as leaving the condition untreated can negatively impact your long-term dental health and hygiene.
While there’s no confirmed medical rationale explaining the causes of bruxism, dental experts believe it to be a response to certain emotions while awake or due to associated arousals during sleep.
It’s essential to contact your dentist if you recognise any of the above symptoms in you or your children, as leaving the condition untreated can negatively impact your long-term dental health and hygiene.
What are some of the effects of bruxism?
The effects of bruxism will depend on its severity. That being said, if you leave the condition untreated, you can reasonably expect to suffer from one or more of the following afflictions:
Facial myalgia.
This is a painful condition that features chronic pain affecting your trigeminal nerve. As a result, you will feel consistent, stabbing pains in your jaw and lower face, and possibly even above your nose.
Headaches.
The constant churning of your teeth and jaw can cause dull, thumping headaches that can disrupt your daily routine and reduce your productivity at home and work.
Earache.
The structures of the temporomandibular joint are in close proximity to your ear canal, which can cause feelings of discomfort and pain in your ears. In some severe cases, bruxism can lead to temporomandibular joint syndrome.
Sleep disruption.
If you suffer from moderate to severe bruxism, you may wake yourself up during the night. Bruxism can also affect your partner’s sleep pattern.
Sensitive, loose, or broken teeth.
While your teeth are sturdy, they’re not meant to be constantly clenched and ground together. Those with bruxism cause their teeth to loosen or even break over time.
As you can see, the potential effects of bruxism are unpleasant and uncomfortable. In more severe cases, you can pose a significant risk to your oral health and can even struggle to eat due to the wear and tear your teeth are subjected to.
This being said, some people can suffer from bruxism for years and show relatively few severe side effects. It just depends on the severity of the condition.
The good news is that once identified, bruxism can be easily treated, and we look at the best course of treatment in the section below.
How can you treat bruxism?
Although there’s no specific cure for bruxism, there are several ways to treat the condition.
The first thing you need to do if you recognise some of the symptoms of bruxism is to consult your dentist. Doing so will help you understand the condition, and your dentist will then be perfectly positioned to advise you on the most appropriate treatment for your situation.
Daytime bruxism can often be treated with increased awareness, physical therapy, and a range of dentist-led interventions.
However, those who suffer from bruxism at night might need the help of a specifically designed mouth guard or some other personalised intervention. Because bruxism is often intertwined with sleep apnoea, treating the latter can often reduce the effects of the former.
If bruxism is caused as a result of a misaligned jaw or crooked or damaged teeth, your dentist or orthodontist might be able to fit you with a brace or splint to realign your jaw.
Other preventative measures can be taken to reduce the impact of bruxism on your teeth, such as avoiding drinks with high concentrations of caffeine or alcohol, as both can encourage grinding.
Chewing gum is also best avoided, as it embeds the act of chewing and griding into muscle memory.
Overall, there are many potential courses of treatment for bruxism, but you should begin by visiting your dentist. That way, they will diagnose your condition and advise you on the most appropriate treatment plan, providing you with a much-needed solution to the uncomfortable condition.
Final thoughts
Although bruxism is a common affliction that affects both children and adults, it should not be ignored. If you find yourself regularly grinding or clenching your teeth during the day or at night, it’s essential for the long-term health of your teeth that you seek guidance and get in touch with us by calling on 01227 761111 or contact us.
Leaving bruxism untreated can cause a range of health complications that will affect your everyday life and can be easily avoided. The wide range of management options available to your dentist will ensure your bruxism can be treated with relative ease.
So, if you think you or your child might be suffering from bruxism, give your dentist a call and book an appointment to have your teeth checked out. Your dentist will help alleviate any pain or discomfort you feel and advise you on how best to avoid a recurrence of the condition in the future.