Grinding your teeth from time to time is usually not too serious, but problems arise if it becomes a habit. Tooth gnashing (bruxism) is the unconscious act of grinding or clenching your teeth too closely together. It can cause various health problems like receding gums, damaged teeth, headaches and a sore jaw.
In many cases, you may not even realize you have bruxism until it is noticed by someone else; teeth-grinding can often be loud enough to wake up your sleep partner.
Teeth that are worn down, chipped or show cracks can be a sign that you grind your teeth. Pain or sensitivity when teeth are exposed to hot or cold food and drinks may also
signal a problem.
Bruxism can have several possible causes; examine your lifestyle closely to find out which ones apply to your situation.
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- Stress – In many cases, stress and anxiety are the root cause of bruxism, especially if you experience tooth grinding in your sleep. Stress can cause sleep disorders, which may manifest as involuntary sleep bruxism. Tooth grinding can sometimes be the brain’s way of coping (similar to lip or cheek biting and tooth-tapping). Bruxism is also more likely to be found in certain personality types, including those who tend toward aggression, competitiveness and hyperactivity.
- Age – Adults are not the only ones who can experience bruxism. Children are also susceptible and can grind their teeth for several reasons, including earaches, teething pain, stress relief or hyperactivity. They may also experience discomfort in the jaw when eating so it is important to address these potential signs that your child is grinding his or her teeth. Bruxism is fairly common in children and usually goes away as they grow older. However, if it continues to occur, it could be a sign of a problem with the child’s teeth (e.g. improper alignment). Bruxism can also impact a child’s sleep quality; speak to your dentist if the problem persists.
- Medication – Bruxism can sometimes be a side effect of certain medications. While antidepressants are the biggest culprit, others that could have an impact are drugs for Parkinson’s disease, ADHD, migraines and some acid reflux drugs. Consult with your doctor about these side effects before taking any medication.
- Sleep disorders – Bruxism in itself can be a sleep disorder. You are more likely to suffer from it if you have other sleep disorders. Sleep apnea can cause you to grind your teeth as you try to breathe. Other issues (like regularly talking or moving in your sleep) can cause bruxism if you are not able to control what you do while sleeping.
- Lifestyle – Ingesting certain chemicals can influence bruxism. Some studies indicate that smoking, drinking and taking recreational drugs can make it easier to clench the teeth. For example, if you are a regular smoker or drinker, the body can be somewhat restless when you sleep, making you more likely to grind your teeth.
Now that you know some of the potential causes of bruxism, take steps to fix the problem. Decreasing the likelihood of teeth-grinding sometimes involves changes that you can make on your own. Give these remedies a try while consulting with your dentist about the possibility of wearing a mouth guard at night.
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- Stress management – Stress can be a major cause of bruxism, especially if you have been struggling with the problem for a while. Find activities to help manage stress (e.g. meditation, yoga, exercise, or a hobby). Consider meeting with a therapist to help get to the source of the problem. Bruxism can also be related to sleep disorders; stress management improves sleep quality and makes bruxism less likely to happen.
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- Avoid certain foods – Eating a healthy, balanced diet is a good way to help manage stress. However, what you eat can also trigger bruxism during sleep. Steer clear of caffeinated foods before bed; they can leave you too wired to sleep properly and cause you to grind your teeth. Also, avoid chewing gum if you suffer from bruxism; gum can make your jaws clench, which makes grinding your teeth more likely.
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- Break bad habits – If you are in the habit of chewing on hard objects (e.g. pens, pencils, and hard candy), drop the habit. Bruxism can damage the teeth and jaw, and chewing hard objects can make the pain worse. Sometimes bruxism is related to habitually clenching your teeth, so train your jaw to relax by putting the tip of your tongue between the teeth. You can also try self-massage; use this to relax your face and avoid clenching your jaw as a reaction. Look for trigger points around the face that cause pain and massage them for relief.
- Get the right vitamins – Proper intake of vitamins and minerals can have an effect on your bruxism problem. For example, having enough vitamin C helps you manage stress, while magnesium reduces anxiety and irritability, and improves sleep quality. Get vitamin C from foods like citrus fruits, broccoli, strawberries, and papayas, and magnesium from spinach, avocados, bananas, and almonds.
- Mouth guards – If you’re in need of professional dental treatment, mouth guards and splints are the most common recommendations. Similar to those used in contact sports, a mouth guard separates your teeth and protects them from further damage from grinding. It is possible to buy an over-the-counter mouth guard, but a custom-made one from your dentist will create a better fit in the mouth and offer greater comfort.
- Medication – Anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen) can relieve pain and swelling caused by clenching your jaw too hard. Your dentist may also prescribe a muscle relaxant to calm your jaw before going to bed. Consult a doctor if you think your medication might be the cause of bruxism; he or she may suggest changing your prescription to solve the problem.
- Alignment correction – Misalignment in the jaw and teeth can also cause bruxism, which can be corrected by fixing the alignment. A dentist may suggest alignment correction with braces or Invisalign.
If you experience severe jaw pain, consult with one of the dentists at Springdale Dental Centre for a more in-depth look at what may be wrong and quality help to address the issue.
