Bruxism refers to the habit of clenching or grinding teeth, which exerts a destructive force on the chewing system. It can occur during sleep or while awake. The condition may be caused by psychosocial factors such as stress, as well as external factors like genetics and smoking.
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding / Clenching)
Effects of Bruxism:
Bruxism can lead to:
- Tooth wear and erosion
- Fractures in teeth, restorations, or implants
- Pain in teeth and chewing muscles
- Difficulty in opening the mouth
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw joint
- Bone loss in the jaw and periodontal tissues
- Enlargement of chewing muscles
- Displacement of the jaw joint
The issues caused by bruxism result from excessive force beyond the physiological tolerance of oral structures. In healthy individuals, teeth only make contact during swallowing, chewing, and certain speech sounds. However, in bruxism, the patient keeps their teeth clenched even at rest, causing contact during forward-backward and side-to-side jaw movements.
Symptoms
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from bruxism:
- Rhythmic contractions of jaw muscles
- Teeth grinding loud enough to disturb a sleeping partner
- Tight and painful jaw muscles
- Persistent facial pain
- Damaged teeth, broken fillings, or gum injuries
- Headaches
- Swelling in the lower jaw due to excessive clenching
Treatment Options
If bruxism is stress-related, therapy or relaxation techniques may help manage the condition. Depending on the severity and underlying cause, the following treatment methods may be applied:
- Night guard (occlusal splint)
- Replacement of poorly made fillings and crowns
- Muscle relaxant medications
- Stress therapy
- Measures to improve sleep quality
- Surgical procedures (in severe cases)