What is bruxism?

This condition, also known as teeth grinding, involves excessive clenching or grinding of the teeth, usually unconsciously. According to The Bruxism Association, around 8-10% of the population suffers from this problem, and it is most common in people between 25 and 44 years of age, although it can also occur in children, in which case it is known as childhood bruxism.

Bruxism can cause tooth wear, tooth sensitivity, headaches, shoulder and neck pain, fatigue of the chewing muscles, enamel erosion, and insomnia, among other problems.

If this problem is not addressed with bruxism treatment, it can lead to progressive tooth wear due to the continuous grinding that wears down the enamel and dentin.

Causes of bruxism:

Bruxism is difficult to treat due to the number of factors that can cause it. Despite this, current medical knowledge suggests that some of the causes of bruxism in adults may be:

• Anxiety and stress. Grinding worsens as stress levels increase.
• Dental malocclusion.
• Psychosocial problems.
• Taking antidepressants.
• Using drugs, such as ecstasy.
• Smoking: smokers are five times more likely to develop this behavior.
• High levels of alcohol and caffeine consumption.
• Sleep disorders.
• Neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s or Huntington’s disease.

Symptoms of bruxism:

• Muscle pain around the jaw and in the temporomandibular joint.
• Ear pain.
• Headaches.
• Pain in the neck, cheeks, and shoulders.
• Interrupted sleep or waking up feeling tired despite believing you have slept enough.
• Excessive wear on the surface of the teeth (which can lead to tooth sensitivity). Broken fillings, crowns, or other dental prostheses.
• Cracked or fractured teeth.

Treatment of bruxism:

At Clínica Dental Paguera, we recommend the use of a night guard to treat bruxism and protect your teeth from the pressure exerted when you clench and grind them. It is a rigid resin splint that helps keep the jaw much more relaxed. The splint is usually worn while sleeping, but it is also recommended to use it during the day if necessary.