Do you find yourself clenching your teeth sometimes, or perhaps even gnashing or grinding them together? It is a condition called bruxism, and while some people will clench and grind during the day, it is a habit that frequently occurs during sleep. Clenching and grinding during sleep is considered to be a sleep disorder. People with bruxism are more likely to have other sleep disorders, too, like sleep apnea, where sufferers snore and often pause breathing during sleep.
Bruxism can cause significant harm to your teeth, gums and jaw joints. Because it so often occurs during sleep, the initial signs can be easy to miss until the symptoms cause discomfort or even pain. It is helpful to know the symptoms of bruxism, and if you recognize any of the signs, see a dentist in Whitby for a quick diagnosis and appropriate dental care.
What Are the Symptoms of Bruxism?
One sign is waking up with tired jaw muscles and an aching jaw. People with bruxism also frequently wake up with a headache, and it can cause earache. Another common sign is increased tooth sensitivity. Because bruxism wears your teeth, it exposes the inner layers of the tooth just beneath the enamel.
Any damage to the tooth enamel makes it much easier for sensations created whenever you eat something hot, cold or sweet or sour to reach the tooth nerve. Some people are alerted to bruxism by their sleeping partner, as it can cause considerable noise that is enough to disrupt the sleep of anybody close enough to hear.
Why Would I Develop Bruxism?
It’s not entirely sure why some people develop bruxism, but there are several risk factors. One is increased stress or anxiety, or feelings of anger or frustration. People who have a more competitive personality or who are hyperactive might be more likely to develop problems with teeth grinding and clenching. Sometimes bruxism is a side-effect of taking medications like antidepressants. Smoking or drinking coffee or alcohol, or recreational drug use can increase the likelihood of developing bruxism.
It’s also a condition that tends to run in families, so if your parents or siblings have bruxism, your chance of developing it to might be greater. Other disorders linked to bruxism include dementia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, gastro-oesophageal reflux disorder or GERD, having night terrors, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Why See a Dentist for Bruxism?
If you see us regularly for checkups here at Margolian Dentistry, we will assess your teeth and jaws for signs of bruxism. If you haven’t seen a dentist in Ajax recently and suspect you may have bruxism, we can determine if you have this condition.
To do this, we will ask questions about your general health, including medications and your sleep habits. We can check your jaw joints for any signs of tenderness, and we will check your teeth for signs of damage. Our dentist may take dental x-rays to assess your dental health more fully. A dental exam will determine if bruxism is the reason for your symptoms, or if it could be due to other dental or medical issues. If we suspect your bruxism is related to sleep disorders, we may refer you for a sleep study.
Bruxism Treatment in Oshawa
Sometimes, treatment is unnecessary and especially in kids who will often outgrow bruxism. However, some treatments can help to prevent more damage and relieve the pain of bruxism. One solution is a custom-made night splint, made to fit tightly over your teeth, keeping your teeth separated during sleep and avoiding damaging them further. Another option is to reshape your tooth surfaces or to use crowns to protect teeth badly damaged by bruxism.
