If you frequently share a bed with someone else, you may have been told that you grind your teeth in your sleep. Whether you’ve been told this or not, you might have noticed some of the more common signs of bruxism, which is the chronic grinding of the teeth and clenching of the jaw. These signs might include:
- Tenderness in the jaw, especially near the joints
- Radiating pain that could appear in the neck or as a headache
- Pain or stiffness when opening, closing, or otherwise moving the mouth
- Broken, damaged, or particularly worn-down teeth
Sometimes, signs of wear might appear before any pain or discomfort arises. This is one of the reasons regular dental checkups are so important: your dentist knows your teeth and knows how to spot the first signs of bruxism. They may use X-rays and other images to more thoroughly evaluate the situation, and they may choose to monitor the teeth for progression of symptoms before committing to treatment.
Your dentist will also work with you to determine the cause of your bruxism, referring you to other medical providers when needed. For example, bruxism is often caused by problems with sleep, appearing in brief moments of arousal between phases of sleep. Sleep medicine specialists can evaluate patient behaviors during a sleep study and diagnose such complex behaviors, providing recommendations for treatment. Bruxism can also be caused by anxiety or stress, which can be managed with the help of a licensed mental health provider and some well-tested stress-reduction behaviors.
Younger patients may simply grow out of their bruxism, and many adults might have mild enough bruxism that it’s sufficient to monitor symptoms over time or find sufficient relief through mental health approaches. For more severe cases, there are some tried-and-true treatments that protect the teeth; while these don’t address the root cause of bruxism and don’t stop the behavior from occurring, they do prevent excessive wear and damage to the teeth. The most common method for protecting the teeth from the effects of bruxism is the mouth guard. Made of flexible plastic, these guards fit over the upper and lower teeth and prevent them from grinding against each other during sleep. Most patients report that custom night guards provided by their dentist are far more comfortable than their over-the-counter versions. Some dentists use harder plastic to craft dental splints, which are more rigid and durable than mouth guards, and some patients require corrective procedures to reshape the teeth with bonding treatments or crowns.
In addition to behavioral approaches like managing anxiety or stress, some patients might try using muscle relaxants or Botox injections, which relax the jaw to different degrees and for different durations, and might be helpful for severe or acute symptoms. Some anti-anxiety medications can also help soften the emotional factors that can contribute to bruxism. On the other hand, some other medications might contribute to bruxism and should be addressed, and underlying conditions like sleep apnea or Parkinson’s disease could also encourage the behavior. Your dentist will make sure you see the right specialists to get to the root cause of your bruxism and figure out the best way to treat the condition and protect your teeth.
Related Article: What Causes Bruxism?