How to evaluate bruxism, protect your teeth and find relief
By Kevin DeValk
Do you struggle with sleeping? Stress and anxiety? You might want to have your dentist check out another problem. Yes, your dentist. It could be teeth grinding.
Understanding Bruxism and Teeth Grinding
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a condition in which you squeeze or rub your teeth together. Clenching, or grinding, occurs. It can happen when you’re awake or asleep, and many who do it aren’t even aware of it, until problems are discovered with teeth or your jaw.
Many adults with bruxism also suffer from sleep apnea and other related issues. It can also lead to other issues, dental and otherwise, like tooth damage, joint disorders, even chronic headaches. Across the Lowcountry, a number of dentists and other medical clinics offer specialized support for bruxism. Patients span all ages, including children, said Dr. Reed David, of Elevate Dentistry in Charleston.
Elevate Dentistry diagnoses and treats bruxism, which is also associated with temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD, (TMJ), a dysfunction that causes pain when your jaw opens. While different, bruxism and TMJ are often treated similarly.
The first step for bruxism patients is a comprehensive look at sleep habits; many are referred for a sleep study.
One common treatment for bruxism is a night guard. The goal of a night guard is to separate the upper and lower jaws. Night guards are sold in stores, but Dr. David doesn’t recommended these for long-term solutions.
Over-the-counter models may not decompress the tongue, which relaxes the jaw, for example. It may not be the right fit. Dentist offices like his makes customized night guards based on specific measurements that are best for your mouth and condition.
“If you try and get a one-size-fits-all over-the-counter mouth guard, you may exacerbate the problem,” he said.
Dr. David knows from personal experience. He has bruxism; he has a mouth guard.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the cause of bruxism is not completely understood, but it can be brought on by stress, anger and tension when you’re awake, and, while sleeping, it’s heavily linked with sleep disorders.
Heavy coffee consumption, drinking alcohol, smoking, and drug use are also factors, along with a family history of teeth grinding.
With teeth grinding when awake, some people are aware. Not so when you’re asleep. It’s common for the problem to be detected during dental appointments, when decay is detected on parts of one’s teeth that don’t touch anything when the mouth is closing, Dr. David said.
Dentists will often then ask patients about their quality of sleep, as many may not be consciously aware they are grinding their teeth. Sometimes, a diagnosis of bruxism, or teeth grinding, can lead to the discovery of sleep apnea, according to an article published by Sleep Doctor, a coalition of physicians.
For kids with attention deficit disorder, bruxism is common, he said. They may have poor quality sleep, and, therefore, sleep issues, even though Bruxism may not be diagnosed until adulthood, Dr. David said.
Stress management and relaxation techniques, and solving your sleep issues, are among the treatments. Dentists can’t diagnose sleep apnea, Dr. David noted; they can only gather the data, and refer to doctors.
He also stressed focusing on the full picture of what’s going on. Are there other dental issues, for example?
“We’re trying to fix things and put them in the same environment.”
Bruxism can be painful. Pain might come from tired joints and muscles. Cracked teeth can have sensitivity issues. Issues can develop for 10 to 15 years before being diagnosed, he said. “Jaw pain can come from different sources,” he said.
Sometimes, bruxism can become severe, and require extensive research. Other local resources include Dr. John Rink at Charleston Center for Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry who advertises that mouth guards and dental crowns may be recommended. At Dental By Design, Dr. Michael Ammons, who is also associated with a sleep center, Quality Sleep Centers, can help evaluate bruxism.
Treatment for bruxism shouldn’t be avoided, Dr. David said.
“Your teeth are wearing out when they’re not supposed to,” he said.
