Bruxism is also known as teeth grinding. This usually happens while sleeping, although some patients may grind and clench their teeth even when they are awake. Bruxism puts extra strain on the teeth and jawbone, which can lead to numerous complications, including tooth damage, jaw pain, and headaches. You need to go to your Ankeny dentist for a complete oral exam, but before that, here is an overview that can offer valuable insights.
Symptoms of bruxism
Many patients grind their teeth subconsciously while they are asleep and may not know they have bruxism. However, this periodic grinding can cause additional symptoms, such as facial or jaw pain in the morning, headaches, earaches, and pain while eating. Other symptoms include difficulty opening and closing the mouth, making it hard to chew and talk properly. There are two types of bruxism. The first one is awake bruxism, which happens when someone grinds or clenches their teeth during the day or when awake. There is also sleep bruxism, which happens during the night.
Risk factors
Experts don’t know why some patients grind their teeth while others don’t. However, there are several risk factors for bruxism, such as stress, anxiety, and lifestyle habits. Smokers, alcoholics, and patients who consume a lot of coffee are more likely to suffer from teeth grinding. Certain medications and sleep apnea can also cause bruxism. The question here is where you should do something about the condition. Bruxism can cause sleep disorders, teeth erosion and cracking, facial pain, and TMJ disorders.
What is the treatment for bruxism?
Your dentist will do a complete oral exam and listen to your symptoms to diagnose bruxism. Treatment options include –
- Mouth guards: A custom mouth guard can be made in a lab to help prevent teeth grinding. You can wear these mouthguards while sleeping, which should considerably reduce teeth and jaw pressure.
- Stress management: Because bruxism is related to stress and anxiety, managing those conditions can help address the concerns. Consider practicing meditation and check with your dentist whether you can benefit from cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Medications: Your dentist may also recommend certain muscle-relaxing medications if you have sleep bruxism, which should be taken before you sleep.
- Botulinum toxin injections: For severe cases, dentists may recommend Botox® for teeth grinding. These injections help relax the muscles of the jaw and reduce pain. Repeat treatments are necessary after three or more months.
Can you prevent bruxism?
If you are consciously grinding your teeth, stop. Try meditation and mindfulness practices to counter stress. You should also see your dentist every few months to check whether undetected bruxism is causing any damage to your teeth. The dentist can address the issues and offer treatment options. If you smoke, consider quitting, and avoid alcohol to the best extent. Treating underlying causes of teeth grinding could be an approach. Patients dealing with stress may benefit from talk therapy, and if a medicine is causing the symptoms, your dentist may recommend replacing it. As teeth grinding is also related to sleep apnea, talking to your regular physician is recommended.
See your dentist today
Many patients don’t need treatment for bruxism, and the symptoms usually get better. However, when you have evident pain in your jaw or worn or damaged teeth, you should see your dentist soon. Regular appointments may also help discover tooth fractures, and your dentist can help order the exact mouth guards you need. It can take a while to get used to wearing these mouthguards while sleeping, but it is best to adhere to the dentist’s suggestions. Check online now to find a credible dentist in Ankeny now!
