Teeth grinding is characterised by repetitive clenching of the teeth. It can be likened to a person chewing vigorously without any food in the mouth. In most cases, patients grind their teeth during sleep. This condition is known medically as bruxism.
While well known and well documented by dentists and doctors, there is no absolute information on what triggers grinding teeth in sleep. There are however several recognised risk factors for the condition. It is reassuring to note however that there are also a lot of effective treatment options for bruxism now available at one’s disposal.
For the uninitiated, below are some facts about teeth grinding not many may know about:
Bruxism affects millions of people
The number of people (adults and children) who grind their teeth (daily or nightly) is estimated to be close to 30 to 40 million. When it occurs occasionally, teeth grinding is pretty much harmless. Chronic bruxism on the other hand is a totally different story as it can really affect the patient’s overall health and quality of life.
Make no mistake about it, teeth grinding does not only occur during sleep. If truth be told, some people clench their jaws ferociously when stressed or when concentrating. Many people also have no clue they grind their teeth until symptoms manifest.
Symptoms can vary from one person to another
Parents and bed partners are often the ones that inform bruxism patients about their teeth grinding. This is especially true if it occurs during sleep. However, when the condition is severe, patients will also notice several red flags that point something is not right.
For instance, those with severe bruxism often experience headaches and jaw pain, two of the primary indicators that nighttime bruxism is happening. In other cases, teeth grinding is so bad that patients chip or crack their teeth from the pressure.
Other common symptoms that point to bruxism include loose teeth, sore teeth, earaches, face discomfort that won’t go away, etc. When not treated properly, the condition may also cause temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD), a painful condition characterised by swelling of the joints and muscles around the jaw.
Other conditions may also cause bruxism
Sleep apnea, a sleeping condition is sometimes associated with teeth grinding. To avoid bruxism, those with sleep apnea are advised to get proper treatment. For those who already have bruxism secondary to sleep apnea, treating the condition can help minimise, if not totally eradicate the condition.
Mental as well as physical exhaustion may also lead to teeth grinding. In addition, misalignment of teeth as well as heavy snoring may also cause people to grind their teeth at night.
Mouth guards are used to protect the teeth
One of the remedies available for those with chronic bruxism is a custom made mouth guard your dentist can make. To ensure comfort, mouth guards are made of pliable and soft materials that will conform to the shape of the patient’s teeth and bite.
Mouth guards can also effectively protect the teeth from fracturing and chipping. In addition, mouth guards can prevent TMJD and jaw swelling as well as protect the teeth’s enamel from wearing away.