Teeth grinding or bruxism is a common condition. Over 20% of Americans are regular teeth grinders. In fact, 5% of the world’s population forcefully grinds their teeth. Teeth grinding includes involuntary grinding, gnashing, and clenching of teeth. While many people have this condition, they are often not aware of their teeth grinding. It is usually those who share the same room with them who point this out. This is mainly because most people with bruxism grind their teeth at night.
What is Teeth Grinding
Bruxism refers to involuntary clenching of teeth. This is usually prevalent during sleep. It is quite common in children and can be a marker of stress in adults. People might resort to teeth grinding when they are angry, trying to concentrate, or are experiencing feelings of distress, anxiety, or panic. While there is a range of treatments available for bruxism, these may not be necessary, as most children grow out of this habit. However, it is important to identify the symptoms, as you may not be aware of this habit otherwise. This could, in turn, lead to other sleep disorders such as snoring, sleep apnea, or so on.
Common Symptoms of Bruxism
The common signs of Bruxism include:
- Sleep disruption
- Constant headaches, jaw joint pain, and throbbing pain in the ear
- Stiffness of face when you wake up
- Clenching of the jaw as an emotional response, e.g when angry, focussed, or stressed
- Increased teeth sensitivity to temperature
- Chipped teeth enamel
- Loose teeth
- Indentations of the tooth on the tongue
- Tissue swelling on the inside of the cheek
- Sore jaw muscles
- Broken restorations such as fillings
- More wear and tear on teeth than is normal
- Jaw muscle enlargement, although rare, can be an indicator of bruxism
Keeping an eye out for these symptoms can help you get a checkup if necessary.
Why Bruxism Affects Children
14 to 17 percent of kids suffer from bruxism. There are studies that show a direct correlation between bruxism and lack of interaction with peers along with withdrawn behavior among preschoolers. Some of the major causes for bruxism among children are:
- Pain associated with teeth coming out
- Stress, pressure, and anxiety, particularly due to significant changes
- Antidepressants and antipsychotics
- Underlying medical conditions like cerebral palsy, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and other developmental issues
The best way to manage a child’s bruxism is to consult a healthcare practitioner who can chalk out the best course of action
Treatment for Teeth Grinding
If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, get in touch with a dentist or oral health professional. There are a number of treatment options available for teeth grinding. These include:
- Stress management, meditation, and therapy
- Relaxation techniques
- Sleep
- Repair of teeth damage caused so far
- Ruling out erosion and other tooth wear causes
- Mouthguard or bite splint to restring bruxism at night
Often, finding ways to get rid of stress is a great way to grow out of teeth grinding naturally. Due to its association with other sleeping disorders, it should be dealt with as soon as you notice something.
