Nov. 12, 2020 | When it comes to stress, we’re often told to “Get a grip!” or “Keep a stiff upper lip!” Be careful not to take that kind of advice literally, or you might find yourself grinding your teeth or clenching your jaws. Bruxism is the term that refers to an incessant grinding and clenching of the teeth, unintentionally, and at inappropriate times. Bruxers, people with bruxism, are often unaware that they have developed this habit, and often do not know that treatment is available until damage to the mouth and teeth has been done. In the United States, bruxism affects about 30 million to 40 million children and adults.

Nov. 12, 2020 | Bruxism, a condition involving clenching or grinding of your teeth, can have a variety of causes. Some experts view it as nothing more than a habit. It also can be a result of the body’s reaction when the teeth do not line up or come together properly. Bruxism also can be a symptom of certain rare diseases of the nerves and muscles in the face. In rare cases, bruxism may be a side effect of some medicines that treat depression. These include Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil. People with severe bruxism can break dental fillings or damage their teeth. Rubbing the teeth together can cause the outer layers of enamel to wear away. This can result in tooth sensitivity. People who grind and clench their teeth usually do not do so intentionally. The clenching is unconscious and is usually most severe during sleep. Even though they are asleep, people may clench down with a force of up to 250 pounds because there is no active protective feedback mechanism.

Nov. 12, 2020 | If you wake up with a dull headache in the morning, you may have a condition called bruxism, which involves grinding or clenching of your teeth. Bruxism causes a grinding sound at night, which may disturb the sleep of someone who shares a bedroom with you. It can also lead to damaged teeth, broken dental fillings and injured gums. You may notice swelling on the side of your lower jaw caused by clenching. Chronic clenching exercises the jaw muscles. Like lifting weights, this makes the muscles grow larger. Once you stop clenching, the muscles will shrink and the swelling will go away. Bruxism can also cause an earache because the structures of the temporomandibular joint are very close to the ear canal. This is what is known as referred pain, because you can feel pain in a different location other than its source. If you experience any of these signs and symptoms, see your dentist. He or she can determine if you are a bruxer and how best to treat it.

Nov. 12, 2020 | If you suffer from bruxism that is stress-related, your dentist or physician may recommend professional counseling, psychotherapy or other strategies to help you relax. You may also be prescribed a medication such as Valium. This will be for short-term use, usually one week or so. It should be taken at night before you go to bed to help reduce grinding at night. If your bruxism is related to tooth problems, your dentist will probably try to correct your tooth alignment. In severe cases, onlays or crowns may be used to entirely reshape the biting surfaces of your teeth. The dentist also may make a mouth guard or bite splint that fits your mouth and teeth to prevent further damage to the teeth. In some cases, it may help your teeth and muscles to realign. If you develop bruxism as a side effect of antidepressant medicines, you have a couple of options. Your doctor may switch you to a different drug or give you another medication to counteract your condition.

Nov. 12, 2020 | The sound of a gently sleeping child can be very soothing to a parent. But for a child with bruxism, many parents have to endure the harsh sounds of gnashing and grinding teeth. About 30 percent of children grind or clench their teeth. The rate is highest in children under the age of 5. If your child grinds or clenches his or her teeth, discuss the problem with your family dentist. Most children eventually outgrow bruxism and suffer no permanent damage to their teeth. In cases where the grinding and clenching make a child’s face and jaw sore or damage the teeth, dentists may prescribe a special night guard. Molded to a child’s teeth, the night guard is similar to the protective mouthpieces worn by football players. Because some bruxism is a child’s natural reaction to growth and development, most cases can’t be prevented. Stress-induced bruxism can be avoided, however, by talking with kids about their feelings and helping them deal with stress.