What are the Bruxism Symptoms Causes and Treatment

Bruxism is a dental condition characterised by an unconscious act of gnashing, grinding or clenching of your teeth. Bruxism is classified into two main types: awake bruxism (occurs when one is awake) and sleep bruxism (occurs during sleep). The main difference between the two types is that teeth grinding that occurs at night is usually more severe. Also, according to research, women are more likely to have awake bruxism than men. Your teeth are naturally not meant to be clenched or come into contact all the time. They are only supposed to do so when you are chewing or swallowing briefly. If they come into contact too often or too forcefully, it can damage your enamel by wearing it down. The enamel is the thin outer layer that protects the inner part of your teeth. If this part is damaged, it can lead to a broad range of dental problems including sensitivity.

Stress, anxiety, and other psychological components

Stress, anxiety and adverse psychological factors are significantly linked to bruxism during sleep. According to research studies, approximately 70% of tooth grinding occurs as a result of anxiety or stress. Research also has it that stress caused by issues related to job greatly affects someone’s good sleep and as a result can be responsible for sleeping during the day. However, it’s also the most major factor linked to bruxism. Some recent studies showed that workers who work under a shift are more prone to bruxism compared to satisfied workers.

An aggressive or oversensitive personality type

Recent studies show that an individual’s personality type may be related to teeth grinding. Individuals who have a significant negative response to emotions such as those related to loss, threat or frustrations are most likely to suffer from bruxism. Also, people who are self-critical and sensitive to criticism, are likely to grind their teeth. Bruxism may also affect those with an overly aggressive, competitive or hurried personality.

Medications

There are certain medications which are known to cause teeth grinding, particularly some of the medications that are used to treat psychiatric conditions. It is thought that these medications often lead to changes in the central nervous system, causing jaw clenching and teeth grinding. Some of these drugs include antidepressants and antipsychotics, especially the selective serotonin uptake inhibitors such as Zoloft (sertraline), Prozac (fluoxetine) and Paxil (paroxetine).

Sleep disorders

Bruxism is linked to behaviours exhibited during sleep such as talking, mumbling, punching or kicking. It is associated with a condition known as sleep paralysis, whereby you find that you are temporarily unable to move while you’re waking up or falling asleep. Also, sleep apnea, which is a condition where someone stops breathing for short periods of time while asleep can contribute to bruxism.

Lifestyle factors
Lifestyle factors can also contribute to bruxism. Some of this factors includes alcohol consumption, smoking, and taking caffeinated drinks. Using some substances such as alcohol, tobacco or other sleep medication to try and get sleep may have an opposite effect. This may result to daytime sleepiness. It has been found that bruxism is quite high in individuals whose lifestyle include the use of these psychoactive substances.

Recreational drugs
Stimulants contained in recreational drugs such as cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine,and ecstasy increases bruxism. These drugs tend to stimulate the central nervous system, their mechanism of action is based on the neuronal transmitters in the brain mostly involving the dopaminergic system. Neuronal transmitters are involved in essential functions in the central nervous system such as learning, body movement, hormone regulation and sleep cycle. They are also involved in initiating motor disorders leading to teeth grinding. Ecstasy contributes the most when it comes to sleep bruxism and severe awake; it lasts in the system for 6-8 hours.

Snap-in dentures
These are the most effective choice for dentures when it comes to stability. Snap-in dentures are held securely in place with the help of dental implants or anchors onto the existing natural teeth. Snap-in dentures are considered as unique due to the locator attachments embedded within the tissue side of the denture. These locator attachments are snapped onto the locator receptors or onto the implants. Therefore, it means that they are convenient and removable just like partial dentures. Usually, dentists use these dentures when a patient does not have any teeth but still has enough bone to support an implant.

Intestinal parasites

Studies show that people who are infected with intestinal parasites are highly prone to teeth grinding. Some of the main types of parasites that can infect the intestines include protozoa such as giardia and cryptosporidium and helminthics such as tapeworms, roundworms, and pinworms. People get infected with these parasites when they get into contact with infected faecal matter that may be present in contaminated water, food or soil.

Improper teeth alignment

Teeth that are not aligned properly, for example, caused by a dental filling that is too high may lead to teeth grinding.

Down syndrome

This condition is often linked to delayed physical growth and mild to moderate intellectual disability. People with Down syndrome tend to have smaller than average teeth with shorter roots, class III occlusion with crowding or missing teeth. Teeth grinding is one of the common side effects of these oral conditions.

Cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is considered a neurological disorder that is caused by a non-progressive brain malformation during brain development. The condition often affects muscle coordination and body movement. Teeth grinding is a secondary disorder because of the abnormal conditions in the oral cavity. Some patients who have cerebral palsy have a high incident of crowding, variable shapes, sizes and misaligned teeth, which can contribute to bruxism.

Headache
Do you often wake up in the morning with a headache? Do you experience some pain in your head throughout the day? The chances are that your headaches are as a result of bruxism. Treating the condition may give you relief from the headaches.

Jaw Pain
Teeth grinding comes as an exercise that will eventually exhaust your jaw muscle and jaw joint. As a result, you will experience some pain and soreness. This is one of the most common symptoms that you are suffering from bruxism.

Worn Teeth Surfaces
Constant grinding of teeth surface wears down the enamel and the surfaces. The wearing out of the enamel depends on the duration you have been grinding your teeth, magnitude, location,and frequency. Typically, canines tend to be the type of teeth to show the first signs of bruxism. This is because they are naturally longer than other teeth. The wearing of the surfaces will make them shorter. In severe cases, wearing of the teeth surfaces can extend and also cause wearing of the dentine.

Damaged Teeth
Putting a constant amount of force on the teeth can weaken the enamel and can contribute to small fractures that can result in breaks and chips. As teeth wear down, the edges of the anterior teeth and the corners of the posterior teeth will begin to depict some cracks and micro-fractures. During the early stages, these cracks and micro-fractures can only be detected by your dentist on radiographic images. Most patients often confuse these signs and symptoms to cavities since they can become discoloured and stained. They can also become sensitive to hot and cold. In severe cases, the fractures may necessitate the teeth to be extracted.

– Teeth grinding and clenching may cause noise loud enough to wake your sleeping partner
– Increased sensitivity of the teeth as well as tooth pain
– Locked jaws that don’t close or open completely
– Sleep disturbances
– Painful sensations in the ears which are not caused by any ear problems
– Soreness of the gums
– Chronic facial pains
– Indentations on your tongue

Diagnosis

During your dental visits, your dentist is likely to check for any physical signs of bruxism. These signs include unusual wear and tear on your teeth, tooth sensitivity,and broken dental restoration. If your dentist notices any of these signs, he/she will assess your teeth for the next several visits. He will ascertain if the signs and symptoms are progressing. His assessment will help him decide whether you need treatment or not.

The kind of treatment your dentist will recommend depends on the cause of bruxism. So, if your dentist finds out that you are suffering from the condition, he will ask you some few questions to determine the cause. Some of the questions you can expect include your stress level, your daily medications, general dental health and whether you take alcoholic drinks or any other caffeinated beverages. If you have a roommate or sleep partner, your dentist might ask him or her about your sleep habits. He will need to know if you make any unusual sounds using your teeth at night.

To determine the severity of bruxism, your dentist will examine your jaw and mouth. He will check if there is any tenderness in your jaw muscles. He will also check if there are any dental abnormalities such as poor tooth alignment and broken or missing teeth. Your dentist will check if there are any damages caused on the bone beneath your teeth. He will also check for damages on your cheeks caused by bruxism. Your dentist may make a series of x-rays on your mouth.

In addition, your dentist will check for other conditions that may have similar symptoms with bruxism such as temporomandibular joint disorders. If your dentist finds out that you have an ear infection, he will probably refer you to a doctor for further examination and treatment. If bruxism is due to stress and anxiety, he will probably refer you to a counsellor.

Treatment of Bruxism
In most cases, bruxism treatment is not necessary. Many children outgrow this condition without undergoing any treatment and many adults don’t grind their teeth enough to require attention from the dentist. However, if the situation becomes severe, there are a few dental approaches that you can use to address it. These options include natural remedies, dental approaches, therapies,and medications. Make sure that you talk to your dentist to ascertain which method may work best for you. Here is a look at some bruxism treatment approaches.

White willow

This herb has numerous medicinal properties that are beneficial to your health. Its bark is the most used part of treating diseases. White willow has a component known as salicin, which converts into salicylic acid that helps in fighting inflammation and reducing pain. This herb is referred to as the natural aspirin because it contains many similarities with the aspirin. Anyone suffering from bruxism may consider using this herb as their natural bruxism treatment. White willow helps in resolving the jaw, teeth and gum alignment problems which helps in resolving the pain and inflammation caused by teeth grinding.

Turmeric milk

Turmeric milk is also an effective natural remedy treatment for teeth grinding. Milk contains amino acids and tryptophan, which help in relaxing the body, thus enjoying a good sleep at night. Other than this, calcium contained in the milk also helps in keeping teeth healthy and strong. Adding some turmeric powder in your milk will enhance its health benefits and help in relieving pain. Here are the steps to prepare turmeric milk.

– Heat one cup of milk
– Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder into your milk when it starts to boil
– Slowly stir the milk until it becomes a rich mustard color
– Remove from heat and add some honey to it
– Drink this turmeric milk regularly 30 minutes before going to bed; this will help you to stop grinding your teeth.

Vitamin C

Our bodies require vitamin C to create the dopamine neurotransmitter, which regulates mood and also plays an important role in our brain. In addition, vitamin C plays other important roles in controlling smooth muscles. Eat foods that contain high vitamin C content such as kiwifruit, broccoli, dark green leafy vegetables and yellow bell peppers. You may also consult your doctor on whether you can take vitamin C supplements. This helps in reducing stress and improving your mood, hence stopping teeth grinding.

Valerian root

Valerian is a flowering plant, whereby its roots are used as a remedy for insomnia, anxiety and restlessness. Research has also found that the plant can be used to alleviate symptoms of restless legs syndrome. This is a condition where one cannot resist the urge to move their legs in a restless manner even when sleeping. With the benefits of valerian root on this condition, which is more like bruxism, it may be safe to say that this remedy may help in treating teeth grinding.

Herbal tea

Drinking a cup of herbal tea every night before bed can help to relieve stress and tension, which provides a great relaxing effect on your body. Feeling stress-free and relaxed can help in preventing bruxism naturally. Besides, herbal tea helps in relaxing the facial muscles. You may try out chamomile tea or green tea to stop teeth grinding naturally. Here are a few steps on how to prepare herbal tea.

– Mix 2 teaspoons of dried green tea leaves or chamomile flowers in a cup of hot water.
– Steep for about 3 minutes.
– Strain and add some honey and lemon juice.
– Drink this one hour before sleeping.

In general, medications have not yet proven to be very effective in treating bruxism. However, there are still a few medications that can be used to reduce the condition. Here are a few examples.

Muscle Relaxants

Your dentist may suggest in some cases that you take some muscle relaxants every day before bed. Muscle relaxants will help relax your jaw muscles and prevent them from grinding.

Botox Injections

Botox injection, which is a form of botulinum toxin may help people suffering from bruxism. This medication is in most cases used when all other medications have failed to work.

While placed last on this list, speaking to your dentist is probably the first thing you should do as soon as you realise you have bruxism. Your dentist will be able to use some advanced dental technology to assess if there are any signs of bruxism on your teeth. He/she will do this by assessing if there are any signs of wear and tear on the tooth enamel. If you don’t visit your dentist regularly, you should do so as soon as possible as bruxism may have long-term and irreversible effects.

Mouth Guards and Splints

Mouth guards and splints are dental appliances meant to keep your teeth separated to avoid any damage caused by grinding and clenching. Mouth guards worn at night to prevent clenching are different from the mouth guards worn during athletics. The idea behind a mouth guard is that people will continue clenching their teeth,but the mouth guard will prevent them from damaging their teeth.

They are two types of mouth guards. The first type is known as a custom mouth guard made by the dentist. Your dentist will build a guard according to the specifications of your mouth. Any other person can not use this kind of guard because it will not fit them properly. Custom mouth guards are the best for protecting your teeth from the effects of teeth grinding because they take into consideration the unique features of your mouth. The second option is non-custom mouth guard. This kind of mouth guard can be obtained from the drug store or the dentist office. Non-custom mouth guards may fit you less comfortable because they aren’t designed with your mouth at mind. However, they are still effective in protecting your teeth from bruxism. Sometimes, your dentist may recommend a mouth guard for you even if you are not suffering from bruxism. This is because they can protect you from any kind of trauma that may occur to your teeth.

Splints guard also known as a bite or occlusal plate functions the same way as mouth guards. They are made from hard plastic and are designed to fit either your upper or lower jaw specifically. A splint guard is costly compared to a mouth guard.

Mandibular Advancement Devices

Mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are commonly used in the management of sleep apnea and snoring. However, recent studies have shown that they can also be effective for bruxism. This device is worn at night to hold the lower jaw forward and closed while one is sleeping. The dentist customises the appliance to fit over your top and bottom teeth.

Bruxism is a very deteriorating dental condition that can have adverse dental effects on your teeth. A majority of people assume that bruxism is harmless and it can be ignored. As much as it may seem harmless during its initial stages, it may lead to more dental problems that might be complicated and costly to treat. The condition should be properly addressed the moment it has been detected. Visit your dentist regularly for dental check-ups. By doing this, he or she will be able to detect any early signs of bruxism.

Moreover, watch your lifestyle and make any changes that might be required to make it healthy. Avoid caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and smoking especially in the evening. Try and reduce your stress level. If you follow the simple tips outlined in the article above, you will be sure to maintain your pearly white smile for years to come.