Treatments for Teeth Grinding
By Allen Daniels | Published on March 22, 2010 | 0 Comments
Do you grind your teeth? If so, you’re certainly not alone. Allen Daniels, DDS, of Bright Dental in Bright, Indiana, says that teeth grinding is often the direct result of daytime stress. Here he explains the impact of grinding and how to prevent it.
The term “bruxism” refers to an unconscious behavior that involves grinding, gnashing or clenching the teeth. Most bruxism occurs at night during sleep (this is called nocturnal bruxism). This nighttime grinding has been proven to be the direct result of stress. In fact, studies have shown that the amount of teeth-grinding that takes place at night is directly related to your. So, grinding is likely to be worse at the end of a particularly busy or stressful day. In addition to grinding their teeth or clenching their jaws during the night, many people with bruxism also tend to clench their jaws during the day. Bruxism is extremely common among young children, but is also seen in adults. Children who grind their teeth usually stop doing so by the time they’ve reached adolescence. For adults, however, the behavior can become chronic.
Grinding and clenching your teeth can cause serious problems. Because your body can apply much more force to your teeth when you’re asleep than when you’re conscious, grinding even for short periods of time can lead to major damage. Grinding can cause teeth to crack or break, wear down enamel, and lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). TMJ can cause serious headaches, neck aches, facial pain and muscle spasms.
Treatment Options
Bruxism doesn’t always need to be treated. Many times, the problem occurs as a result of short-term stressors and is resolved once those stressors are removed. In cases where grinding occurs on a regular basis, however, intervention is necessary in order to prevent damage to the teeth and the surrounding musculoskeletal structure.
There are several ways to treat bruxism. Although they do not work for everyone, night guards are the most common treatment method and, for most people, are extremely effective. Night guards are worn during sleep and work by preventing the back teeth from coming into contact with one another. Today’s night guards are more compact and comfortable than in the past. While night guards in the past covered all the teeth, newer versions fit across just the front four to six teeth and work just as well.
If your dentist recommends a night guard for you, he will need to take impressions of your teeth. Your night guard will be custom-made based on these impressions. Once the night guard has been made (which is usually done at a laboratory), you will need to return to your dentist’s office to have the night guard fitted. You will need to wear your night guard every night in order for it to be effective.
Occasionally, medications are also used to treat bruxism. Although they are sometimes prescribed for people with bruxism, muscle relaxants and sedatives are not particularly effective. While they may work initially, these types of drugs generally lose their effectiveness after three or four nights. Antidepressants, however, can actually be quite beneficial. It’s important to note, though, that although some antidepressants can help prevent bruxism, others have been shown to increase the incidence of nighttime grinding. You will want to talk with your doctor about which antidepressant will work best for you.
Because, in most cases, bruxism is the direct result of stress, stress management techniques can help prevent teeth grinding. Regular exercise, relaxation exercises and meditation can help relieve stress and eliminate the body’s urge to grind the teeth at night. Because children often grind their teeth as the result of unresolved worries and fears, they may benefit from talking through their worries, either with a parent or with a professional. Establishing a relaxing pre-bed ritual may also be beneficial.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.