What Causes Bruxism?
Teeth grinding is more common in the population than you may think. Bruxism is the technical name for the excessive and continuous grinding of teeth or clenching of the jaw. Bruxism can happen both when someone is awake and asleep and can lead to long-term oral health issues. Below is more information on the potential causes of the condition and available treatment options.
Causes of Bruxism
There are multiple factors that can increase the risk of bruxism, but sometimes it may be difficult to identify which cause is responsible. Below are a few of the most common causes of bruxism:
- Stress: Stress is one of the most common risk factors for bruxism. Clenching the teeth is a common reaction to stress, and that natural response can carry over to episodes of grinding and clenching during sleep.
- Genetics: Evidence suggests that sleep bruxism may be genetic and can run in families. It is estimated that approximately half of people with sleep bruxism have a close family member who also has the condition.
- Poor or disordered sleep: Teeth grinding at night has been connected to changing sleep patterns. Often teeth grinding events are preceded by increases in brain and cardiovascular activity.
These are just a few of the common causes of bruxism. Additional factors linked to the condition include cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine intake, mood disorders, and snoring. More research is needed to better understand these possible causes and how these factors can be treated to reduce the damage caused by excessive grinding of the teeth.
What Damage Can Bruxism Cause?
It is important to treat bruxism once the condition is identified and diagnosed. Excessively grinding the teeth and clenching the jaw can cause significant damage to the teeth, the jaw muscles, the tissue supporting the teeth, and the joints in the jaw. This damage can grow more severe overtime and if not treated can lead to tooth and tissue loss, muscle damage, and permanent jaw damage. Bruxism can also cause damage to the tongue, lips, and cheeks.
Possible Treatments for Sleep Bruxism
Unfortunately, there are no treatment options that can completely stop teeth grinding. However, there are several possible approaches to decrease the severity of the condition and minimize the damage to the mouth. The severity of bruxism can vary from patient to patient. Some patients have no or few symptoms and do not necessarily need treatment. Other patients have a greater risk of long-term problems, and treatment is necessary. The appropriate treatment for a patient’s bruxism will depend on the severity of their condition. Some of the most popular treatment options include:
- Stress reduction: Taking steps to reduce and better manage stress may help to decrease teeth grinding. Though it is impossible to completely reduce exposure to stress, developing healthy coping skills may help to reduce the impact of stress, which may include reducing teeth grinding.
- Medications: There are medications available that can help to reduce bruxism. These medications can reduce muscle activity in the jaw. Botox is another approach that has been shown to help reduce the severity of bruxism.
- Mouthpieces: There are several mouthpieces and mouthguards available that, if worn nightly, can help to reduce the damage bruxism can cause.