Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): An Overview

In layman’s terms, Bruxism means grinding of teeth. It is potentially a symptom of TMD (Temporomandibular disorder). It’s a prevalent issue, and 80% of us do it at some point in our lives. It’s essentially a para-functional habit. Which means it’s subconscious. You don’t even realize you are doing it. However, if left untreated it can eventually become very destructive. Constant grinding can strain the surface of the natural teeth and eventually wear, break or fracture your dentine.

It can happen during the day or during the night. It’s easier to deduce the problem when it occurs during the day- the time when you are conscious. But when it happens during the course of your slumber, you may not realize it until complications develop. This unconscious habit of teeth grinding while sleeping is a sleep-related movement disorder.

Usually, you are made aware of the issue by the people around you, much like snoring. Through this blog, we aim to provide an overview of Bruxism, teeth grinding symptoms and how to identify them.

Why is Bruxism a cause for concern?

Isolated teeth grinding/clenching episodes or mild bruxism do not necessarily cause harm. But when teeth grinding occurs on a frequent basis, it can lead to severe problems. At the outset, a lot of people think these are normal. Well, news flash, they are not and should not be taken lightly. These problems include-

Excessive wear on teeth: Wear on teeth is the primary side effect of bruxism. If left untreated, it may progress into sensitivity, tooth pain, fracture and chipped teeth, to name a few. Often, restorative treatments are required to manage these dental issues. Even these treatments cannot sustain for long if the root cause of the disorder is not dealt with, as grinding can also damage fillings, crowns or dental bridges.
Overloading of muscles: Constant clenching of the jaw strains the muscles around the jaw and can lead to persistent headaches. The tell-tale sign of sleep bruxism is waking up with unexplainable jaw pain and headache.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder The next most common, harrowing issue induced by bruxism is Temporomandibular Joint Problem, commonly known as TMD. There’s a small joint right next to the ear- the Temporomandibular Joint that connects the jaw to the skull. And that joint can be overloaded by constant pressure caused by teeth clenching. So you may experience clicking in your jaw when opening or closing your mouth or chewing your food. In severe cases, TMD can cause facial neck and shoulder pain triggered by inflammation and lead to difficulty in chewing, talking and swallowing.

Types of Bruxism

Depending on how Bruxism occurs, it branches off into the following categories:

Awake Bruxism: As its name suggests, it consists of unconsciously clenching your teeth while awake. It usually manifests with other habits such as pressing the lips between the teeth or biting the nails.
Sleep Bruxism: It occurs during the hours of sleep. According to recent studies- it can be associated with Chronic Obstructive Apnea Syndrome or Sleep Apneas. Teeth grinding while sleeping usually causes dental, muscle and joint pain when waking.

Why does it happen?

Bruxism is usually caused by psychological unrest, but it can also have a genetic origin, or it may altogether be caused by other underlying diseases.

Psychological Triggers: Stress, anxiety, nerves, anger, frustration or other states of psychological alteration are the primary triggers for bruxism. In fact, there are certain personality types in which this pathology is more frequent.
Genetics: Numerous studies have shown that bruxism can be hereditary or have a genetic origin. And can be shared between different members of the same family.
Age Influence: It is more common in children, adolescents and middle-aged people, although bruxism can affect anyone. In children, there is a certain level of bruxism related to the stimulation and normal development of the facial structure, mouth and teeth. This occurs during the primary dentition and usually disappears as the permanent teeth emerge. It can also be related to anxiety, nervousness or stress in childhood.
Underlying Health Issues: Having malocclusion or problems with the muscles of the mouth and face can cause unintentional teeth grinding. In addition to oral issues, there are other diseases that are closely related to bruxism. These include- Allergies, Dementia, Parkinson’s, Hyperactivity, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder, Epilepsy, Night Terrors or other sleep-related problems.
Medications: Some psychiatric medications such as antidepressants and stimulant substances such as tobacco, alcohol, caffeine or consumption of certain types of drugs can escalate the development of this disorder.

How to know if you have Bruxism?

One of the problems with bruxism, especially nocturnal bruxism is the difficulty in detecting it. Bruxists are usually unaware of their ailment until someone tells them of it or the long-term impacts become noticeable. One of the most common ways to diagnose and control it is by visiting the dentist regularly. A qualified dental professional can perceive this problem during a routine examination.

Teeth grinding symptoms

Bruxism can be mild, sporadic and have no consequences, but in most major cases, it can lead to quite a few problems.

It causes dental attrition- A type of wear on the tooth surfaces due to contact between them.
It can end up causing- dental fractures, flattening or significant reduction in the size of the teeth, dental abfractions and involvement of the dental pulp or nerve in advanced cases.
Grinding your teeth can damage enamel, the protective layer of your teeth. This can eventually make your teeth sensitive to cold, heat or pain.
Sleep bruxism has a connection to other sleep disorders. Grinding patients may be more prone to snoring or even sleep apneas, i.e. pauses in breathing while sleeping. Insomnia is also closely connected with this situation.
One of the most prominent symptoms is waking up with pain in the jaw, neck, ear or head. These involuntary movements can overload the TMJ, the joint on each side of the jaw that allows us to speak and chew. This can progress into TMJ dysfunction over time or cause contractures, strains, or even injuries to other body parts. Treating bruxism is especially important in athletes as it can increase the risk of injury.

No matter how uncomplicated Bruxism sounds, it can be difficult to self-diagnose it. Make sure to talk to your dentist if you even have a shadow of a doubt that you might be suffering from it. Also, feel free to book a consultation or contact our specialists if you have any questions.

Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): An Overview

Why is Bruxism a cause for concern?

Types of Bruxism

Why does it happen?

How to know if you have Bruxism?

Teeth grinding symptoms

Services

Quick links

Contact Info