Grinding Teeth and TMJ
Grinding Teeth and TMJ
Teeth grinding is thought to affect 80% of the population, commonly in our sleep, you are not alone! Tooth grinding is one of the most under-diagnosed problems in dentistry, and a major cause of facial pain, deterioration of teeth, and sleep problems.
Symptoms which may occur
- Facial pain
- Headaches
- Jaw pain and stiffness
- Sleep problems
- Worn down and sensitive teeth
- Broken teeth or fillings
What is teeth grinding?
Tooth grinding is the act of involuntarily rubbing or grinding your top teeth against your bottom teeth. This usually occurs when you are asleep, or when you are preoccupied with a certain activity. In short — tooth grinding happens unconsciously. Tooth grinding is related to jaw clenching, which is where you clamp your teeth hard together, but don’t actually grind. Chronic tooth grinding, to the point where it damages your teeth, is called bruxism.
What treatments are there?
The most effective way to treat tooth grinding is to wear a specialised sleeping appliance. They look very similar to a mouth guard, they are small and comfortable to wear without disrupting your sleep.
Many people carry more tension in their jaw than they realise. So focussing on relaxing your jaw through certain exercises or be conscious of how you can relax your jaw from the tension. You may find cutting out habits that promote jaw tension, such as chewing gum, can also help you relax your jaw.
See your dentist or doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed above or have other concerns about your teeth or jaw.
Causes of teeth grinding
- Stress - Increased anxiety or stress can lead to teeth grinding. Leading to anger and frustration.
- Age - Bruxism is common in young children, and they usually grow out of it by adulthood.
- Personality type. -Having a personality type that's aggressive, competitive or hyperactive can increase your risk of bruxism.
- Medications and other substances. - Bruxism may be a side effect of some psychiatric medications, such as certain antidepressants. Smoking tobacco, drinking caffeinated beverages or alcohol, or using recreational drugs may increase the risk of bruxism.
- Family members with bruxism. - Sleep bruxism tends to occur in families. If you have bruxism, other members of your family also may have bruxism or a history of it.
- Other disorders. -Bruxism can be associated with some mental health and medical disorders, such as Parkinson's disease, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), epilepsy, night terrors, sleep-related disorders such as sleep apnea, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Benefits of Nightguards
One-third of the population suffer from teeth grinding (bruxism) or jaw clenching. People who grind their teeth in their sleep will require a custom-made Night guard which will protect your smile.
- Prevents significant damage to your teeth
- The most effective (and cheapest) solution for patients who grind or clench their teeth
- Places a cushioning barrier between your teeth, alleviating the symptoms of grinding
- Nightguard is hard or soft or a combination of hard/soft nightguards are available
- Comfortable to wear and fit tightly in the mouth
