WHY IS TEETH CLENCHING SO BAD?
Teeth clenching, sometimes called jaw clenching, is an abnormal condition that leads to force overload in the teeth, jaws and other structures. Often, it is associated with teeth grinding, also known as bruxism. It can happen during the day or during the night, and it can affect adults and children.
While grinding refers to the movement of the jaws to the sides with upper and lower teeth in contact, clenching refers to holding the teeth together.
If you try to clench your teeth for a few minutes, you will quickly notice the amount of muscle work required. It is easy to understand the amount of tension that teeth clenching and grinding can generate. Many people that clench their teeth are not aware of it.
The following symptoms can indicate clenching and the consequent overuse of the jaw muscles:
– Jaw pain
– Problems in the jaw joint
– Jaw clicking
– Broken teeth and restorations
– Headaches, pain in the head, neck, shoulder and spine
THE RELATION BETWEEN TEETH CLENCHING, SLEEP DISORDERS AND BITE ISSUES
The exact cause for teeth clenching is not always clear. However, bite issues, sleep disorders, anxiety and stress are often present. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol and consuming caffeinated drinks can make the condition worse.
Firstly, if you clench your teeth, it means that you are not sleeping well. Deep sleep, which is essential to restore the body, results in relaxation of all muscles. When clenching and grinding takes place, the jaw muscles tense up, getting the body out of the deep sleep phase.
Recent studies have shown that teeth clenching and grinding is often associated with a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea. With this condition, the airway is blocked by the tongue during deep sleep, which stops breathing. As a result, the person awakes to reposition the jaw and the tongue to allow airflow and the cycle repeats with many sleep interruptions during the night. According to these studies, clenching and grinding is an involuntary reaction to help reopen the airway so the person can breathe again.
Sleep apnea is bad for general health, increasing the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, obesity and depression. Typically, people with sleep disorders have bite issues that affect tongue space and breathing.
MEDICAL ORTHODONTICS CAN FIX BITE ISSUES, IMPROVE TEETH CLENCHING AND SLEEP
Adequate space inside the mouth is essential for proper breathing. Expansion of the dental arches and correction of teeth alignment can help create adequate space for the tongue, which can rest without interfering with the airways.
Thus, correction of bite issues can keep the airways opened, facilitating deep sleep and improving wellbeing.
TEETH CLENCHING – ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT THROUGH CLEAR ALIGNER THERAPY
The studies on sleep apnea and bruxism indicate that opening the airways can stop clenching and grinding. Thus, correcting the bite and restoring the space are the ultimate solutions to address the source of the problem.
The most convenient way to correct bite issues is through clear aligner therapy. These simple plastic devices can make precise changes to teeth and jaws. It also straightens the front teeth while working on the back teeth, thus improving the appearance of your smile.
Do you clench or grind your teeth? Your dentist can help find out if you also have sleep disorders and if your bite needs correction. Your overall health starts with an adequate bite.