What is Bruxism?

Do you ever wake up with a headache or sore jaw? Or maybe you notice your teeth are getting more sensitive. These could be signs that you suffer from bruxism. But what is bruxism, exactly? Let's take a closer look.

Bruxism Defined

Bruxism is the medical term for clenching and grinding your teeth. It's a habit that many people have but may not even realize they're doing it. If you suffer from bruxism, you may unconsciously clench your teeth when you're concentrating, angry, stressed, or asleep. Bruxism can occur during the day or at night, but nighttime bruxism (or sleep bruxism) is more common.

There are two main types of bruxism: 

1. Awake bruxism: This type of bruxism usually happens during the day when you're doing something that requires concentration, such as working on a project or playing a sport. It's often considered a stress-related condition.
2. Sleep bruxism: As the name suggests, this type of bruxism occurs when you’re asleep. It's believed to be caused by a combination of factors, including genetics, sleep disorders, and teeth alignment issues. 

Bruxism can cause a number of symptoms, including:

• Headaches
• Sore jaw
• Earache
• Pain in your face or temples
• Damage to your teeth
• Indentations on your tongue from teeth grinding
• Sleep problems (insomnia)

Additionally, bruxism can sometimes cause temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which is a condition that affects the joints in your jaw. If you have TMJ disorder, you may experience pain in your jaw, neck, shoulders, and face. You may also have difficulty opening your mouth wide or chewing. 

What causes Bruxism?

There is no one clear-cut answer to this question, as bruxism can be caused by a variety of factors. In some cases, it may be due to stress or anxiety. Bruxism can also be caused by misalignment of the teeth or jaws; sleep disorders such as sleep apnea; or medications such as antidepressants, stimulants, or certain drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease.

In children, bruxism may be caused by teething or gum irritation. 

How is Bruxism treated?

The treatment for bruxism will depend on the underlying cause. The first step is to visit your dentist so they can assess the damage and recommend a course of treatment.

Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes such as reducing stress, avoiding caffeinated beverages and alcohol, or quitting smoking. In more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe splint therapy or a mouthguard to wear at night to protect your teeth from further damage. Splint therapy involves a custom-made device you wear at night to reduce the amount on stress on your jaw joints and muscles when you grind your teeth.

If bruxism is due to stress or anxiety, therapy may be recommended to help you learn how to manage these conditions. Or, if misaligned teeth are the cause of your bruxism, braces or other orthodontic treatments may be necessary.

Lastly, if bruxism is due to sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, treatment for these conditions will be necessary. Fortunately, Dr. Bruce Kanehl is one of a select few in the Jacksonville area to be a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and to treat sleep apnea with oral appliance therapy. He's also a leading practitioner in using bite splint therapy to treat TMJ disorder and other conditions.

What Should I Do if I think I have Bruxism?

If you think you may have bruxism, it is important to consult your doctor or dentist right away. Left untreated, bruxism can lead to serious dental problems, so you should seek treatment as soon as possible. They will ask about your symptoms and medical history and do a physical exam of your mouth area.

Your doctor may also recommend one or more of the following tests:

• an X-ray of your head to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), 
• a sleep study to check for other sleep disorders that may be causing your symptoms, or
• a dental exam to check for damage to your teeth from grinding or clenching.

There's no one test that can diagnose bruxism definitively, so doctors often use a combination of these methods to make a diagnosis.

Conclusion

Bruxism affects about 10% of the population and involves clenching and grinding your teeth. It can happen during the day or at night and can lead to a broad range of unpleasant symptoms, including headaches, sore jaw, and even TMJ disorder in extreme cases. If you think you might be grinding your teeth at night, the best thing to do is to see your dentist or doctor right away. They will be able to diagnose bruxism and rule out any other probable causes of your symptoms. The sooner you treat bruxism, the better you'll be in the long run. Schedule a consultation today to discuss how Dr. Kanehl can help you treat any suspected bruxism.