My Blog
Posts for category: Bruxism
The Dangers of Teeth Grinding
Bruxism (BRUK-siz-um) is a condition in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously clench your teeth together during the day, or clench or grind them at night (sleep bruxism).
Sleep bruxism is considered a sleep-related movement disorder. People who clench or grind their teeth (brux) during sleep are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring and pauses in breathing (sleep apnea).
Mild bruxism may not require treatment. However, in some people, bruxism can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems.
Because you may have sleep bruxism and be unaware of it until complications develop, it's important to know the signs and symptoms of bruxism and to seek regular dental care.
Signs and symptoms of bruxism may include:
•Teeth grinding or clenching, which may be loud enough to awaken your sleep partner
•Teeth that are flattened, fractured, chipped or loose
•Worn tooth enamel, exposing deeper layers of your tooth
•Increased tooth sensitivity
•Jaw or face pain or soreness
•Tired or tight jaw muscles
•Pain that feels like an earache, though it's actually not a problem with your ear
•Dull headache originating in the temples
•Damage from chewing on the inside of your cheek
•Indentations on your tongue
When to see a doctor
See your doctor or dentist if:
•Your teeth are worn, damaged or sensitive
•You have pain in your jaw, face or ear
•Others complain that you make a grinding noise while you sleep
•You have a locked jaw that won't open or close completely
If you notice that your child is grinding his or her teeth — or has other signs or symptoms of bruxism — be sure to mention it at your child's next dental appointment.
Causes
Doctors don't completely understand what causes bruxism. Possible physical or psychological causes may include:
•Emotions, such as anxiety, stress, anger, frustration or tension
•Aggressive, competitive or hyperactive personality type
•Abnormal alignment of upper and lower teeth (malocclusion)
•Other sleep problems, such as sleep apnea
•Response to pain from an earache or teething (in children)
•Stomach acid reflux into the esophagus
•An uncommon side effect of some psychiatric medications, such as phenothiazines or certain antidepressants
•A coping strategy or focusing habit
•Complication resulting from a disorder such as Huntington's disease or Parkinson's disease
Risk Factors
These factors increase your risk of bruxism:
•Stress. Increased anxiety or stress can lead to teeth grinding. So can anger and frustration.
•Age. Bruxism is common in young children, but it usually goes away by the teen years.
•Personality type. Having a personality type that is aggressive, competitive or hyperactive can increase your risk of bruxism.
•Stimulating substances. Smoking tobacco, drinking caffeinated beverages or alcohol, or taking illegal drugs such as methamphetamine or Ecstasy may increase the risk of bruxism.
Complications
In most cases, bruxism doesn't cause serious complications. But severe bruxism may lead to:
•Damage to your teeth, restorations, crowns or jaw
•Tension-type headaches
•Facial pain
•Disorders that occur in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), located just in front of your ears, which may sound like clicking when you open and close your mouth
Preparing for your appointment
It's usually best to see your dentist first, though you also may see your primary care provider if your dentist feels it's necessary. In some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred to a sleep specialist.
Because appointments can be brief, it's a good idea to be well-prepared.
To get ready for your appointment:
•Gather relevant medical records, for instance, if you've been seen for bruxism-related problems in the past.
•Make a list of any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for the appointment. If you experience pain, make a note of when it occurs, such as when you wake up or at the end of the day.
•Make a note of key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
•Make a list of all medications, vitamins or other supplements you're taking and the dosages.
•Prepare questions to ask your doctor or dentist.
For bruxism, some basic questions to ask include:
•What's likely causing my symptoms or condition?
•Are there other possible causes?
•What kinds of tests do I need?
•Is my condition likely temporary or long-term?
•What's the best treatment?
•What are the alternatives to the primary approach you're suggesting?
•I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
•Are there any restrictions I need to follow?
•Should I see a specialist? Will my insurance cover that?
•Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
•Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can have? What websites do you recommend?
What to expect from your doctor or dentist
Your doctor or dentist is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:
•When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
•Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
•How severe are your symptoms?
•What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
•What, if anything, seems to worsen your symptoms?
Tests and diagnosis
At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.
Learn more. Request an appointment.
During regular dental exams, your dentist likely will check for signs of bruxism. If you have any signs, your dentist will look for changes in your teeth and mouth over the next several visits to see if the process is progressive and to determine whether you need treatment.
If your dentist suspects that you have bruxism, he or she will try to determine its cause by asking questions about your general dental health, medications, daily routines and sleep habits.
To evaluate the extent of bruxism, your dentist may check for:
•Tenderness in your jaw muscles
•Obvious dental abnormalities, such as broken or missing teeth or poor tooth alignment
•Damage to your teeth, the underlying bone and the inside of your cheeks, usually with the help of X-rays
A dental exam may detect other disorders that can cause similar jaw or ear pain, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, other dental problems or an ear infection.
If your dentist suspects a significant psychological component to your teeth grinding or a sleep-related disorder, you may be referred to a therapist, counselor or sleep specialist. A sleep specialist may conduct more tests, such as assessment for sleep apnea, video monitoring and measuring how often your jaw muscles tighten while you sleep.
Appointments & care
At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.
Learn more. Request an appointment.
In many cases, treatment isn't necessary. Many kids outgrow bruxism without treatment, and many adults don't grind or clench their teeth badly enough to require therapy. However, if the problem is severe, treatment options include certain dental approaches, therapies and medications. Talk to your doctor about what may work best for you.
Dental approaches
If you or your child has bruxism, your doctor may suggest ways to preserve or improve your teeth. Although these methods may prevent or correct the wear to your teeth, they may not stop the bruxism:
•Splints and mouth guards. These are designed to keep teeth separated to avoid the damage caused by clenching and grinding. They can be constructed of hard acrylic or soft materials and fit over your upper or lower teeth.
•Dental correction. Correcting teeth that aren't properly aligned may help if your bruxism seems to be related to dental problems. In severe cases — when tooth wear has led to sensitivity or the inability to chew properly — your dentist may need to reshape the chewing surfaces of your teeth or use crowns. In certain cases, your dentist may recommend braces or oral surgery.
Therapies
Certain therapies may help relieve bruxism, such as:
•Stress management. If you grind your teeth because of stress, you may be able to prevent the problem with professional counseling or strategies that promote relaxation, such as exercise or meditation.
•Behavior therapy. Once you discover that you have bruxism, you may be able to change the behavior by practicing proper mouth and jaw position. Ask your dentist to show you the best position for your mouth and jaw.
•Biofeedback. If you're having a hard time changing your habits, you may benefit from biofeedback, a form of complementary medicine that uses monitoring procedures and equipment to teach you to control muscle activity in your jaw.
Medications
In general, medications aren't very effective for treatment of bruxism, and more research is needed to determine their effectiveness. Examples of medications that may be used for bruxism include:
•Muscle relaxants. In some cases, your doctor may suggest taking a muscle relaxant before bedtime, for a short period of time.
•OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injections. Botox injections may help some people with severe bruxism who don't respond to other treatments.
If you develop bruxism as a side effect of a medication, your doctor may change your medication or prescribe a different one.
Lifestyle and home remedies
These self-care steps may prevent or help treat bruxism:
•Reduce stress. Listening to music, taking a warm bath or exercising can help you relax and may reduce your risk of developing bruxism.
•Avoid stimulating substances in the evening. Don't drink caffeinated coffee or caffeinated tea after dinner, and avoid alcohol and smoking during the evening, as they may worsen bruxism.
•Practice good sleep habits. Getting a good night's sleep, which may include treatment for sleep problems, may help reduce bruxism.
•Talk to your sleep partner. If you have a sleeping partner, ask him or her to be aware of any grinding or clicking sounds that you might make while sleeping so that you can report this to your doctor.
•Schedule regular dental exams. Dental exams are the best way to identify bruxism. Your dentist can spot signs of bruxism in your mouth and jaw with regular visits and exams.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bruxism/basics/definition/con-20029395
Blog Content
Archive:
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
Tags
- CEREC (1)
- Dental Advice for kids (1)
- Toothpicks (1)
- Brushing tips (1)
- Baby Bottles (1)
- "Year of the Mouth" (1)
- Breaking Bad Oral Habits (1)
- toothache (1)
- Bleaching Special (1)
- Medications affect dental health (1)
- Sinusitis (1)
- toothache in ancient times (1)
- Fight Rotten teeth (1)
- Baby Teeth (4)
- FACEBOOK (1)
- Children's Dental Health (1)
- Chocolate (1)
- Jaw Pain and Headaches (1)
- Waterford Michigan Dentist (1)
- dental anxiety (1)
- Invisalgin (1)
- Impacted Teeth (1)
- dental check-ups (1)
- Root Canals and Smokers (1)
- Invisibile braces (1)
- Mouthguards (1)
- Composite fillings (1)
- Seniors (1)
- Dental Emergencies (1)
- Health Snacks for Teeth (1)
- Cranberries and women (1)
- Your Mouth (1)
- children and brushing (1)
- Chipped teeth (1)
- Snoring or Sleep apnea (1)
- Insurance Benefits (2)
- Implants (2)
- Dental Myths (1)
- cold sore or canker sore (1)
- Bonding (2)
- Nitrous Oxide (1)
- Gum Chewing (1)
- Sealants (5)
- Beautiful Smile (1)
- Gagging and dental (1)
- Oral Cancer (4)
- INVISALIGN DAY (1)
- Invisalign (1)
- Dental News (1)
- Invisalign Day November 13 (1)
- 2012 (1)
- Straight teeth (1)
- Thanksgiving (2)
- Teeth Whitening (1)
- Bleeding gums (1)
- Happy New Year (1)
- Calcium (1)
- Soft drinks and teeth (1)
- Fun dental facts (1)
- Brushing teeth (1)
- Dental tips (1)
- Dental tip 3 (1)
- Whitening (2)
- Dental health birth to age 3 (1)
- Maintaining your teeth (1)
- Dental Insurance (1)
- Cholesterol (1)
- X-rays (1)
- Maintain your toothbrush (1)
- gum (1)
- Oakland County Dental Discounts (1)
- toothpaste (2)
- Eating Disorders (1)
- married 50 years (1)
- Thursday Tip (1)
- Cavities (5)
- Did you know? (1)
- dental funnies (1)
- dental joke (1)
- Medications (1)
- Just Smile (1)
- dental kids (1)
- Did you know (1)
- Your teeth and candy (1)
- halloween candy (2)
- Headaches and jaw pain (1)
- TMJ (2)
- be thankful (1)
- Dental visits and your heart (1)
- Teens and your teeth (1)
- Friday Fun Day (1)
- Animal Teeth Facts (1)
- Change your toothbrush (1)
- Smiles (1)
- dental check ups (1)
- Thumb sucking (1)
- Spring and your teeth (1)
- Brushing your teeth (1)
- Oral health (14)
- Bad Breath (4)
- Nutrition (1)
- Dental Fears (2)
- Rate your teeth (1)
- Dental tips for life (1)
- Hygiene (2)
- Tartar (1)
- mouth injuries (1)
- Random dental facts (1)
- Soda or pop (1)
- False teeth (1)
- dental quote (1)
- perio disease (1)
- Teeth Bleaching (1)
- Fluoride (1)
- Oral cancer signs (1)
- dentist (1)
- famous (1)
- insurance (1)
- holiday season (1)
- Food Tips (1)
- Stress (2)
- Dental floss (1)
- Summer (1)
- Teeth and back to school (1)
- Homecare (1)
- Mouth Odor (1)
- Halitosis (2)
- detection (1)
- prevention (1)
- TMD (1)
- Jaw Pain (2)
- Jaw Discomfort (1)
- Facial Pain (1)
- Ear Pain (2)
- teeth (8)
- tooth enamel (1)
- hardest part of the body (1)
- smoking (1)
- children (2)
- food (2)
- healthy (1)
- healthy eating for teeth (1)
- Creative ways to get your child to brush (1)
- children's brushing (1)
- kids' oral hygiene (1)
- Goal setting (1)
- positive habits (1)
- improving your life (1)
- Easy ways to achieve new habits (1)
- Wisdom Teeth (1)
- Extraction (1)
- Removal (1)
- beverages (1)
- drinks and the effects on your teeth (1)
- Herbs (1)
- spices (1)
- gums (2)
- mouth (2)
- Pets (1)
- jaw (1)
- overall effects of stress on the body (1)
- Cravings (1)
- Needs (1)
- Health (3)
- gum disease (1)
- gum health (1)
- gingivitis (1)
- perio (1)
- periodontal disease (1)
- veneers (1)
- cosmetic dentistry (1)
- dental sealants (1)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- sensitivity (1)
- oral (1)
- dental impacts (1)
- oral surgery (1)
- Pregnancy (1)
- teeth and having a baby (1)
- Bruxism (1)
- headaches (1)
- teeth grinding (1)
- clenching your jaw (1)
- nighttime grinding (1)
- shoulder tension (1)
- danger (1)
- complications (1)
- tooth decay (2)
- Benefits (2)
- productivity (1)
- smiling (1)
- creativity (1)
- Watermelon (1)
- natural whitening (1)
- tooth whitening (1)
- toothbrush safety (1)
- storage (1)
- toothbrushes (1)
- history (1)
- Mouth Health (1)
- Bacteria (1)
- Tricks for beating bad breath (1)
- floss (1)
- types of floss (1)
- flossing (1)
- decay (1)
- energy drinks (1)
- hormopnes (1)
- women (1)
- females (1)
- dental (1)
- kids (1)
- Implants explained (1)
- dental implants (1)
- behavior (1)
- kindness (1)
- random acts of kindness (1)
- giving (1)
- health benefits (1)
Categories:
- Training (1)
- Dental News (88)
- Special Offers (5)
- February Dental Month (2)
- Fun Dental Facts (10)
- Dental Tip Of The Day (11)
- dental jokes (4)
- Quotes (3)
- Teeth Whitening (2)
- Gum Disease (1)
- Dental (9)
- Dental Fears (1)
- Children Dental (3)
- Breath (2)
- Oral Cancer (1)
- Jaw (1)
- Teeth (2)
- Food for healthy teeth (1)
- Positive Habits (1)
- Wisdom Teeth (1)
- Best Beverages for Oral Health (1)
- Mouth Health (1)
- Pet Oral Health (1)
- Stress and Oral Health (1)
- Health (2)
- Gums (1)
- cosmetic dentistry (1)
- Sealants (2)
- Sensitive Teeth (1)
- Dental Implants (2)
- Pregnancy and Oral Health (1)
- Bruxism (1)
- tooth decay (1)
- Smiling (1)
- Tooth Whitening (1)
- Toothbrushes (2)
- Cavities (1)
- Dental Floss (1)
- hormones and dental health (1)
- Kindness (1)