TOOTH GRINDING OR BRUXISM
Bruxism is the habit of grinding the teeth. It can take place during the day, but is more common during the night, as an unconscious action during sleep.
Night bruxism is sometimes considered as a sleep disorder, since it is often seen in association with snoring and sleep apnea, a condition where breathing is interrupted and restored many times per hour.
Bruxism can vary from person to person, with some experiencing severe consequences. The root of the problem related to tooth grinding is that the teeth and jaws are subjected to excessive amounts of chewing forces, which concentrate in some areas, thus causing stress and damage.
The consequences of frequent tooth grinding include damage to teeth (wear, fracture), worsening of sleep disorders, dysfunction in the jaw joint, pain and tension in the muscles.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU GRIND YOUR TEETH?
Noise. A spouse or roommate can complain about the noise resulting from the grinding of teeth.
Teeth. Flattened, fractured, worn out, chipped or loose teeth can be signs of bruxism. Teeth can also present sensitivity.
Muscles. Tense, tired or sore face and head muscles.
Aches. Headaches, migraines, earaches.
Jaws. Soreness in the jaws, popping or clicking sound in the jaw joint, locked jaws.
BAD BITE, TOOTH GRINDING AND SLEEP APNEA
Night grinding is an unconscious condition, usually associated with bite issues and worsened by stress and anxiety. The exact cause for bruxism is not completely understood.
In the skull, bones are kept together by sutures, which can expand and contract, according to different triggers. A bad bite can trigger grinding as an unconscious attempt to grind away the interferences. The extreme amount of forces generated during teeth grinding causes tension in the muscles, affecting the jaw joint, the skull sutures and membranes. These structures have nerves, which can trigger pain when under stress.
Recent studies have linked tooth grinding to sleep apnea. In obstructive sleep apnea, a bad bite often leads to narrow tongue space, causing partial obstruction of the airway. As a result, breathing stops and the brain triggers grinding as an involuntary reaction to reopen the airways in order to restore breathing. Hence, sleep disorders and a bad bite are directly related to bruxism.
MEDICAL ORTHODONTICS OFFERS NON-INVASIVE TREATMENT FOR TOOTH GRINDING
Most treatment strategies for tooth grinding involve three key areas: correction of the bite, protection of the teeth from the excessive forces and lifestyle changes to decrease stress.
Adequate alignment of the bite results in better force distribution in the dentition, balance in the chewing system, improved breathing, better sleep, increased energy levels and relief for pain in general.
A bite can become unbalanced for different reasons; the most frequent are tooth misalignment, crooked teeth, missing teeth, over-bite, cross-bite, under-bite, tilted teeth, crowding and narrow arches.
THE SOLUTION FOR BITE PROBLEMS THROUGH CLEAR ALIGNER THERAPY
Teeth can be successfully corrected in adults through clear aligner therapy. This technology allows for gentle movement of jaws and teeth using transparent trays (changed every 2-3 weeks), which are customized to fit perfectly over your teeth and 3D printed through a specific computer software.
More convenience and comfort are two of the many advantages for this treatment option, allowing for the removal of the trays, so you can enjoy your meals and clean your teeth effortlessly. After that, you simply replace the device over the teeth.
Getting a balanced bite is one of the best investments in one’s oral and general health and wellbeing.
If you suspect that tooth grinding might be part of your night routine, talk to your orthodontist today.