Bruxism

Do you find yourself often waking up with stiffness or jaw pain or even headaches? Does your partner complain about you grinding your teeth at night? You might be suffering from bruxism.

But what is Bruxism?

Bruxism or “excessive teeth grinding” are unconscious movements of friction between the teeth that occur outside of normal chewing or swallowing activities. Teeth grinding occurs mostly during the night (sleep bruxism) but can also occur at certain times of the day. Bruxism is also associated with jaw clenching.

People who suffer from Bruxism experience one or both of these symptoms:

● Jaw clenching is the clenching of teeth with no lateral movement. People who suffer from this symptom of bruxism may feel muscle pain in the mastication muscles and in the neck and shoulder area. More severe cases may include headaches, nausea, pain in the middle ear and symptoms of tinnitus.

● Teeth grinding consists of friction between teeth from slight lateral movements of the jaw. This type of bruxism generally affects children.

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Why do you Grind your Teeth?

The majority of us suffer from bruxism at some point or the other in our lifetime. While for most of this might be a temporary phenomenon, about 14% of children, 8% of adults and 3% of seniors continue to suffer from this involuntary reflex on an ongoing basis.

While the exact causes of bruxism are still unknown, the following elements may trigger it:

Nervousness/Stress: The daily stress, anxiety and hyperactivity in our lives that we try to control during the day, could potentially manifest itself in the form of sleep bruxism at night.
Sleeping on your back: The majority of bruxers sleep on their back and it causes their jaw and tongue to slump backwards. This position reduces blood oxygen levels and accentuates bruxism.
Interrupted sleep: People suffering from bruxism not only tend to wake up often during the night, but are also observed clenching their jaws and grinding their teeth more intensely during those periods of light sleep.

Consequences of Teeth Grinding

Upper and lower teeth should only come in contact during chewing and swallowing saliva. Frequent and excessive contact between the teeth can cause premature wear. Worn teeth tend to be more sensitive to cold and more prone to fractures. Teeth grinding can also cause jaw pain, problems with joints, as well as migraines and cervical pain. In more severe cases, excessively worn teeth can also result in difficulty with chewing.

Speak to your orthodontist if you have bruxism

If you suffer from bruxism, a plastic mould known as a mouth guard may be an interesting option for you to consider. This customized device is made from an impression of your teeth and covers the teeth to prevent contact between them. The mould acts as a bumper for your teeth and the jaw muscles and joints. While it protects the teeth, it does not heal them. Come visit us at our orthodontic clinic to find a solution best suited for you!