Why should bruxism be treated?

Clenching or grinding the teeth, known as bruxism, can have long-term consequences that range from mild to serious. It often shows itself as headaches or tooth sensitivity, but over time the effects can be irreversible, including premature and abnormal wear of the teeth, lasting tooth sensitivity once the enamel is too worn to protect the teeth, and joint pain affecting the jaw, temples, forehead, back of the head, neck and shoulders. Sleep can also suffer, as grinding may repeatedly wake you up.

How can you stop grinding or clenching your teeth?

Once bruxism has been diagnosed, the dentist scans the teeth in order to fit a custom-made mouthpiece that is worn at night. This mouthpiece protects the teeth while taking the strain off the muscles and jaw joints. Treating muscle tension, for example through specialist massage or an osteopathy session, can also help relax muscles that have been overworked for months.

Bruxism is the involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth, which can occur during the day or at night. It most often happens during sleep, when control of the body is reduced and stress and anxiety accumulated during the day can be expressed physically. It is a fairly common phenomenon that can be difficult to live with, particularly over the long term.

What are the different forms of bruxism?

Bruxism varies in severity from one person to another. For some people it is severe and results in noticeable teeth grinding, while for others the symptoms are milder and take the form of jaw clenching, also known as “clenching”. Whatever the form, the consequences can be painful.

What are the symptoms of bruxism?

Bruxism can manifest in different ways, but common symptoms include tooth hypersensitivity, pain in the jaw that sometimes radiates to the ears, neck pain and chronic headaches. Other signs are muscle tension in the shoulders, difficulty waking up with headaches and tiredness, difficulty opening or closing the jaw, and clicking noises in the ears when chewing. In some cases a person may not even be aware that they are clenching or grinding their teeth.

How is bruxism treated?

Bruxism is difficult to treat because it can be influenced by many different factors. A dentist will generally prescribe a mouthpiece to be worn at night, which protects the teeth and relieves the strain on the jaw muscles and joints. Over time the mouthpiece helps the muscles to relax and can reduce or even stop the clenching or grinding. If grinding occurs during the day, becoming aware of it helps you to concentrate on avoiding it.

Bruxism is generally a physical manifestation of stress and anxiety. It can be linked to everyday pressures or to specific events such as bereavement or job loss. Excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol or drugs can increase the tendency, and smoking, taking antidepressants and certain neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s or epilepsy can also encourage clenching or grinding of the teeth.

What is the link between bruxism and stress?

Bruxism is often linked to stress, so it is recommended to treat the root of the problem. If you are going through a stressful period, that is likely where the cause lies, but if you have been clenching or grinding your teeth for several months it is worth finding out why. Difficult events or anxiety are fairly common causes, and if the problem seems deep-rooted, support from a psychologist may help.