FOCUS | ISSUE 3 | 2010
The Nightly Grind
“Sleep tight!” is a common wish to loved ones before heading off to slumber, but not something you’d wish on your mouth. A good night’s sleep may be diffi cult when someone suffers from grinding teeth during sleep, known as “bruxism.”
Grinding and clenching of the jaws most often occurs at night, but daytime “clenchers” also are common. While the condition may be brought on by stress, anxiety or sleep disorders, it can be caused by other oral health problems, such as an abnormal bite or a destructive bite created by movement of remaining teeth after extractions.
Periodic teeth grinding is common among the population; however, when grinding becomes a pattern, there are risks associated with the disorder. Left untreated, chronic teeth grinding can cause fracturing, loosening of teeth, loss of teeth and excessive wear.
If you or a loved one experiences a repetitive pattern of grinding teeth, the Missouri Dental Association (MDA) suggests consulting with a dentist to determine the best plan of action.
Your dentist may recommend fi tting you with a mouth guard to protect your teeth during sleep. In more severe cases, if you have tooth damage or loss due to grinding, and this continues as the cause of your grinding, your dentist may recommend dental splint therapy, bridges, crowns, root canals, implants, partial dentures or even complete dentures.
Tooth damage and tooth loss are not the only problems that individuals who grind their teeth can have. The disorder also may cause pain of the muscles and joint of the jaws which could result in facial changes or temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) – which include facial muscles that control chewing and movement.
Because bruxism occurs during sleep, approximately 80 percent of people who brux are unaware that they grind their teeth unless their sleeping partner complains. The MDA advises patients to look out for common symptoms of grinding such as consistent dull
www.modental.org/toothtalk
headaches, sore jaw, very sensitive teeth (especially occurring upon awakening) worn teeth and “v” shaped notches at the root surfaces of teeth. It is important to be aware of these symptoms and to take proper early steps to treat the disorder.
To reduce teeth grinding, the MDA recommends:
• First, consult with your dentist to see if getting a mouth guard to wear at night is the best treatment for you. Some individuals may have conditions with similar symptoms requiring other modes of treatment.
• While nighttime clenching can only be helped by a mouth guard, if you clench during the day, become aware of this habit and train yourself not to clench or grind your teeth.
Until treatment, try these suggestions to decrease symptoms:
• Before bedtime, relax by meditating, taking a hot bath or stretching.
• Learn to reduce stress through stress management classes and relaxation techniques.
• Avoid caffeinated foods and drinks.
• Resist the urge to chew on anything that is not food, including gum.
• Relax jaw muscles with a warm washcloth and mild stretching of the joint.
• Avoid long-term, over the counter pain medications for this problem; see your dentist instead.
Highlights
▪ Bruxism = grinding teeth during sleep ▪ Can cause fracturing and tooth loss ▪ Consult with your MDA dentist ▪ Relax, reduce stress to ease symptoms ▪ Visit
YourMouthIsTalking.org for info
Tooth Talk is provided by the Missouri Dental Association (MDA). For more information on dental health, visit your MDA dentist or
YourMouthIsTalking.org.
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