What does the daily grind mean to you? For most people, it’s wake up, work, sleep, repeat. If you suffer from bruxism, your daily grind is probably a bit of a bumpier ride.
Bruxism is the fancy name for the grinding or clenching of teeth. According to the American Sleep Foundation, about 8% of American adults suffer from bruxism. It’s also very common among children, but most outgrow it by adulthood. The effects of bruxism can be very mild or so severe, leading to a slew of dental problems that might require treatment.
The Daily vs. Nightly Grind
Bruxism is categorized as “sleep bruxism” or “awake bruxism”. Nighttime grinding and clenching is described as a common movement disorder during sleep. Unless you grind so loudly that you wake yourself up or disturb your partner, you might not even know you have a problem, until symptoms appear. If you grind or clench during the day, you might catch yourself in the act and work to correct the problem.
Are you a grinder?
Signs and symptoms of bruxism include the following:
- Aching or pain in jaw (TMJ), neck, and facial muscles, especially in the morning
- Chipped, worn-down, or flattened teeth
- Clicking or grinding sounds
- Frequent headaches
- Injured teeth and gums
- Loose or crooked teeth
- Rhythmic tightening or clenching of the jaw muscles
- Sleep disruption and chronic exhaustion
- Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold
Getting to the crux of brux…
Bruxism is caused by a variety of psychological, physiological, and physical factors. What causes one person to grind, might not be a contributing factor for someone else. The most common causes of bruxism are jaw misalignment (aka bad bite), and stress. The latter being one of the biggest culprits. Stress and anxiety cause the body to tense up, in the case of bruxism, keeping the jaw muscles from completely relaxing. Other triggers could result from medications, neurologic conditions, or sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.
How do I beat bruxism?
Fortunately, bruxism is not a life-threatening medical condition, although it might disrupt your sleep and cause you some discomfort. There is no medication or cure for bruxism, but there are a number of ways to alleviate and treat the symptoms. In some cases, your dentist can fit you for a nighttime mouth guard to keep your top and bottom teeth from making contact.
- Avoid alcohol: Alcohol is a depressant and can trigger restless sleep. Don’t buy into the theory of having a nightcap to sleep well!
- Limit caffeine: Your triple latte a day habit might keep you going like the Energizer Bunny, but caffeine is a stimulant and can enhance stress, causing muscles to tighten.
- Reduce stress: Find time each day to be mindful and focus on relieving your stress, whether it be from exercise, listening to music, medication, or reading.
- Stop smoking: There is a correlation between tobacco use and higher risk of bruxism. The reason isn’t completely known, but just say no to smoking.
- Work your jaw: Ask your dentist how you can practice jaw exercises to relax the muscles. So what if you look funny doing them!
If you suffering from bruxism and would like a dental exam, call us at 954-344-4488, or complete an online appointment request to schedule your consultation.