What is bruxism?
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching, otherwise known as bruxism, can cause face and jaw pain, clicking jaw joints and damage to both teeth and enamel.
The causes of bruxism can vary and it’s not always clear why teeth grinding happens. However, it is commonly considered to be a consequence of stress and anxiety, and is often associated with sleep problems such as snoring and sleep apnoea, as it happens mostly at night. It has also been linked to certain medications including certain types of antidepressants.
How do you know if you have it?
Some people will experience symptoms such as face, neck, jaw and shoulder pain, restless sleep and damage to their teeth – ranging from signs of wear to increased sensitivity.
How can a dentist help?
If your dentist thinks you might have bruxism, they will examine your mouth for signs of wear and more substantial damage, assess your bite and ask you whether you have any muscle pain. They’ll check to see how you open and close your mouth, plus examine the muscles around your jaw joint.
If you do have bruxism, dentists may recommend a treatment that will help reduce the intensity of your teeth grinding, including soft or hard mouthguards. These can be worn at night and will protect your teeth from further damage.
Bruxism can also be linked to stress and anxiety, so dentists might also recommend or provide stress management advice. Physiotherapy, botox, muscle relaxants and medication are further treatment options, either at a dental practice or in conjunction with other healthcare professionals, with some options often being combined.
• From Professor Andrew Eder a dentist at PortmanDentex (portmandentex.com)