Bruxism (Teeth Grinding) Overview

 

If you grind your teeth a lot, you may have bruxism. This condition can cause jaw pain and teeth problems. You may not even notice that you’re grinding your teeth during sleep. If you have bruxism symptoms, such as loose teeth, see your healthcare provider. Bruxism treatment is effective and may include a night guard for teeth grinding.

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What is bruxism (teeth grinding)?

 

You probably grind your teeth or clench them once in a while. Occasionally grinding your teeth most likely won’t cause any harm.

But if you regularly grind your teeth, you may have a condition called bruxism. It can hurt your:

• Jaw muscles.

• Teeth.

• Temporomandibular joints (TMJs), which connect your jawbone to your skull and allow you to open and close your mouth.

 

What are the types of bruxism?

 

Bruxism can happen when you’re awake or asleep. The grinding action is the same, but awake and asleep bruxism are considered two separate conditions:

• Awake bruxism: You clench your jaw and grind your teeth during the day with this condition. It’s usually tied to emotional issues. Feeling anxious, stressed or angry can lead to teeth grinding. But so can concentrating on something. Awake bruxism often doesn’t need treatment, if you’re more likely to notice and stop. Stress management can help and learning ways to become aware can also help reduce the frequency.

• Sleep bruxism: You grind your teeth while asleep with this form, which may cause more harm. You may not get the help you need since you’re unaware it is happening. Another challenge with sleep bruxism is that people don’t realize how strong they’re clenching their jaw and teeth. They can use up to 250 pounds of force, causing jaw pain and teeth problems. Clenching can also lead to headaches.

 

Why is teeth grinding harmful?

 

Teeth grinding can cause several problems:

• Changes in how you look (aesthetic problems) and your facial profile.

• Fractured or loosened teeth.

• Harming your TMJs and jaw and neck muscles.

• Loss of teeth.

• Wearing down of teeth.

 

Can children have teeth grinding?

 

Like adults, children can have bruxism. Parents may hear their children grinding their teeth in their sleep. But bruxism in children may not lead to long-term damage. Children’s teeth and jaws change quickly, and they may outgrow bruxism by the time they lose their baby teeth.

Still, some children continue to grind their teeth until their teenage years. And regardless of age, teeth grinding in children can lead to:

• Headaches.

• Jaw pain.

• TMJ disorders (jaw clicking and other problems).

• Wear and tear on the teeth.

While stress is a main cause of bruxism in adults, that’s not usually the case with children. Teeth grinding in children may come from:

• Allergies.

• Misaligned teeth.

• Mouth irritation.

• Obstructive sleep apnea.

• Heredity.

 

Talk to a healthcare provider or dentist if your child’s teeth look worn or you hear grinding. Also get any complaints of jaw or teeth pain checked out. Your provider may recommend a night guard for teeth grinding. This night guard can help until they outgrow bruxism. If the bruxism turns out to be stress related, providers can also recommend stress relief options.

 

Who is at risk for bruxism?

 

Men and women get bruxism at roughly the same rate. If you have a family history of teeth grinding, you may face a higher risk. Other risk factors include:

• Personality type, as people who are very driven may be more prone to teeth grinding.

• Stress.

• Cigarette smoking and caffeine use.

• Certain anti-anxiety medications.

 

How common is bruxism?

 

Bruxism is a common sleep disorder. It affects about 10% of adults and up to 15% of children.

 

Symptoms and Causes for Bruxism

 

What causes teeth grinding?

 

There are many causes of bruxism, including:

Lifestyle habits, such as drinking alcohol, using cigarettes and recreational drugs, and consuming a lot of caffeine (more than six cups of coffee a day). People who drink and smoke are twice as likely to grind their teeth as people who don’t.

• Sleep disorders.

• Stress and anxiety.

• Taking certain medications, including a class of anti-anxiety drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

 

Is bruxism a sleep disorder?

 

Researchers have studied sleep bruxism. They’ve found it starts as a type of sleep disturbance in the central nervous system. Factors that can make the problem worse include:

• Stress and anxiety.

• Alcohol.

• Certain drugs and diseases.

• Heredity (if people in your family have this problem).

• Smoking.

 

What are the symptoms of bruxism?

 

You may not realize that you’re grinding your teeth at night. But signs that you may have bruxism include:

• Disrupted sleep.

• Headaches or facial pain, especially in the morning.

• Earaches.

• Painful or loose teeth.

• Sore jaw muscles.

• Teeth fractures.

• Wear on teeth.

• TMJ, which sounds like clicking or popping in the jaw.

• Pain with eating.

• Jaw locking.

 

Diagnosis and Tests for Bruxism

 

How is bruxism diagnosed?

 

If you think you may be grinding your teeth, see your dentist. They can examine your TMJs, jaw muscles and teeth for signs of bruxism.

Healthcare providers can often diagnose bruxism based on the physical exam and your symptoms. But in some cases, you may need a sleep study called polysommography. This test takes place in a sleep center and can provide a definitive diagnosis.

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Management and Treatment for Bruxism

 

How is bruxism treated?

 

There are no medications to stop teeth grinding. Your dentist may fit you with a night guard. You put this customized orthotic device in your mouth before bed. It protects your teeth, muscles and TMJs from the force created during grinding. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe a muscle relaxant to take before bed.

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What else can I do to stop grinding my teeth?

 

Your provider may review your medications to see if any are contributing to bruxism. Stress may also be a factor. Talk to your healthcare provider about ways to reduce stress:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of talk therapy that can help reduce stress.

• Exercise.

• Meditation.

• Physical therapy.

 

Other ways to cut back on teeth grinding include:

• Avoid alcohol and smoking.

• Avoid or reduce caffeine in foods and drinks such as colas, chocolate and coffee.

• Be aware of teeth clenching during the day. Try to stop yourself: Keep your lips together, teeth apart and tongue behind the front teeth.

• Don’t chew on nonfood items, such as pencils or pens. Also avoid constant, daily gum chewing.

 

Prevention for Bruxism

 

How can I prevent teeth grinding?

To prevent bruxism:

• Avoid cigarettes, drugs and alcohol, which can make sleep bruxism worse.

• Get regular dental checkups. A dentist can treat problems from teeth grinding as soon as possible, so you can avoid long-term damage.

• Treat other dental problems you may have, including misaligned or missing teeth.

 

Outlook and Prognosis for Bruxism

 

What’s the outlook for people with bruxism?

 

The outlook for people with bruxism is good. Children often outgrow teeth grinding by adolescence. For adults, follow your provider’s recommendations. For example, if you have a night guard for teeth grinding, wear it regularly. Sticking with your treatment plan helps improve symptoms, so you feel your best.

 

Living with Bruxism

 

How can I best take care of my jaw and teeth?

 

You might find that certain sleeping positions cause you to grind your teeth more. You may be able to decrease bruxism by avoiding those positions.

Also look for ways to manage stress. Many people find that stress management can greatly relieve teeth grinding. In addition to talk therapy, you can try at-home stress relief, including a warm bath before bed and listening to soothing music.

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What else should I ask my provider about bruxism?

 

If you have bruxism, ask your provider:

• Do I need a night guard?

• Do I need dental treatment to fix teeth problems?

• What other treatments can help stop teeth grinding?

• Will I need a sleep study to diagnose bruxism?

• What medications can help?

• Will there be long-term effects from teeth grinding?

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Teeth grinding, or bruxism, happens when you clench and grind your teeth. It can happen when you’re awake or asleep. Sleep bruxism can cause more problems since you don’t realize you’re doing it. Without treatment, teeth grinding can lead to problems with your teeth, jaw muscles and jaw joints. If you wake up with headaches or have jaw soreness, see a healthcare provider. They can find the right treatment for you, which may include a night guard for sleeping. Stress management can also help reduce teeth grinding.

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Mouthguards

 

Mouthguards cover your teeth to protect teeth and gums. Custom-fitted mouthguards fit and protect your teeth better than over-the-counter mouthguards. Night guards can ease bruxism (teeth grinding). Kids and adults should wear mouthguards during contact sports or activities like biking.

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What is a mouthguard?

 

Mouthguards are dental devices that cover your teeth. A mouthguard protects your teeth, tongue, gums and cheeks from trauma caused by teeth grinding or sports injuries.

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Who might need a mouthguard?

 

Children or adults might need a mouthguard. Your healthcare provider may recommend a mouthguard if you or your child:

• Grinds teeth (bruxism).

• Plays a contact sport like basketball, football, lacrosse, hockey or soccer that increases the risk of a hit to the face.

• Takes part in noncontact sports or activities with a high fall risk, like ice skating, gymnastics or biking.

 

What are the types of mouthguards?

 

There are two main categories of mouthguards: those that are made to protect teeth from trauma from sports or other athletic activities and guards that are made for patients with bruxism or teeth grinding. These types of appliances serve different purposes and will look and feel different. There are also different ways patients get mouthguard.

The types of mouthguards include:

• Custom-fitted: Your dentist uses a mold (impression) of your teeth to custom-make a mouthguard that comfortably fits your teeth and mouth. Custom-fitted mouth protectors cost more, but they provide the best fit and protection. A custom mouthguard will be made specifically for your needs, whether it be for protection from trauma during athletic competition or for use at night if you grind your teeth. A custom guard fitted by your dentist is the highest quality and does the best job at protecting your teeth and mouth.

• Boil-and-bite: These mouth protectors are a thermoplastic material that you can shape at home to fit your teeth. You soften the mouthguard by placing it in hot (not boiling) water. You then put the softened mouthguard into your mouth and use your fingers to press it onto the molars and front teeth. When the mouthguard feels like it’s in the right position, you bite down for about 20 seconds. Then you remove the device and run it under cool water. You can repeat these steps to reshape the mouthguard for the best fit.

• Other adjustable over-the-counter mouthguards: Adjustable night guards often include sliding pieces that rest between your teeth while you sleep.

• Stock: These one-size-fits-all mouthguards come preformed and ready to wear. Because they aren’t made specifically for your teeth, they rarely fit well. Their bulkiness and poor fit can make breathing difficult. Stock mouthguards offer the least protection of all mouthguard types.

 

Where can I buy a mouthguard?

 

Custom-fitted mouthguards are only available through a dental professional. You can buy stock or boil-and-bite mouthguards online or at drugstores and sporting goods stores.

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Are there upper and lower mouthguards?

 

Most mouthguards for sports fit the upper teeth. These teeth stick out more than bottom teeth, putting them at risk for impact. If you have braces, your dental provider may recommend a lower mouthguard, too.

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What are the benefits of wearing a mouthguard?

 

Repairing or replacing missing teeth can be costly and painful. Wearing a mouthguard during athletic activities can help you avoid:

• Chipped or lost teeth.

• Nerve damage to a tooth.

• Soft-tissue damage to lips, gums, tongue and inside cheeks.

 

How do I care for a mouthguard?

 

Mouthguards pick up bacteria from your mouth. Be sure to clean the teeth very well before putting a mouthguard in. To clean your mouthguard:

• Don’t expose the mouthguard to extreme heat, such as direct sunlight or hot water. Heat can cause it to warp and change shape.

• Keep the mouthguard in a sturdy, vented plastic case when not in use or when traveling to sports and activities.

• Rinse your mouthguard in cool water and use a brush and soapy water to clean it after each use. Let it air dry.

• Store the mouthguard out of reach of dogs and other pets.

 

How long do mouthguards last?

 

Depending on how frequently you use your mouthguard and how much “wear and tear” it takes, a custom-fitted mouthguards can last several years with proper care. However, some people may find they need a mouthguard replaced more often than that. You should bring the mouthguard to your dental checkups so your dentist can inspect it for cracks or other signs of wear.

Over-the-counter mouthguards aren’t as durable. You may need to replace them every few months. Children and teens may need to replace mouthguards more often as their teeth and mouth grow.

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Can someone with braces or dental implants wear a mouthguard?

 

Mouthguards help protect teeth, braces, dental implants and dental bridges from damage. Custom-fitted mouthguards work best. They fit the unique shape of the braces or implants.

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Does insurance cover the cost of mouthguards?

 

Some dental health insurers cover part or all of the cost for custom-fitted mouthguards. Health insurance policies vary, so you should check with your provider. You can also see if your dental office has a payment plan. You can use health savings account funds to pay for custom-fitted and over-the-counter mouthguards.

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Mouthguards protect your teeth from injury when you play sports, bike or do other on-the-move activities. You can buy mouthguards at stores or get a custom-fitted mouth protector from your dentist. Your dentist may recommend wearing a mouthguard while you sleep (night guard) to stop you from grinding your teeth. There are different types of mouthguards. Your dentist can suggest the best one for you.