Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of teeth other than chewing. It usually occurs during sleep, but can also occur while awake. Many people may not realize that they are clenching or grinding their teeth. Teeth grinding involves rubbing the teeth together and making chewing movements, while clenching is holding the teeth tightly together and is characterized by muscle contraction. Bruxism can cause facial and jaw pain, jaw contraction, stiffness and headaches. In the long term, it can lead to tooth wear, limitation of movement in the jaw joints and tooth and gum problems. Treatment is usually done with the use of clenching devices, mouth guards or splints. Bruxism can be associated with factors such as sleep apnea, intense stress and certain medications.
Sleep bruxism is considered a sleep disorder and often leads to facial and jaw pain, restricted jaw movements and headaches. Symptoms include clicking sounds in jaw movements, worn teeth, broken fillings and earaches. Awake bruxism, usually an unconscious habit, is characterized by symptoms such as tension, pain and stiffness in the muscles of the jaw and teeth. Stress, intense concentration and certain personality traits can increase the risk of awake bruxism.
Bruxism is divided into two types: primary and secondary. Primary bruxism has no obvious underlying cause and is usually associated with factors such as tooth growth, bite problems and stress. Secondary bruxism, on the other hand, occurs due to underlying causes such as anxiety disorder, depression, neurological conditions, medication side effects and sleep apnea.
Symptoms of bruxism include teeth grinding severe enough to wake up the surrounding area, chipped or broken teeth, tooth enamel wear, severe toothache and restricted movement in the jaw joints. In the long term, serious problems such as enamel erosion, gingivitis, loose teeth, damage to dental fillings and jaw joint syndrome can occur.
Bruxism is diagnosed with a thorough physical examination by a dentist. Findings such as worn tooth enamel, broken teeth and enlarged jaw muscles can help in the diagnosis. Treatment of bruxism usually includes methods such as clenching appliances, mouth splints, medication and in some cases botox injections. It is also important to treat the underlying causes, for example addressing health problems such as mental health disorders or sleep apnea.
