Teeth grinding and its consequences

Nowadays, it is common to see that more and more people suffer from bruxism or teeth grinding. The reason for this is its close relationship with certain factors such as stress and malocclusion.

This disorder is mostly associated with adults. However, children are not exempt from this problem, which can affect anyone.

Also, although teeth grinding may seem harmless, it can cause serious damage to teeth and other oral tissues.

In this article we will tell you what teeth grinding is, its consequences and how to treat it.

What is teeth grinding?

Bruxism, commonly known as teeth grinding, is a condition characterized by involuntary clenching and grinding of the teeth that can lead to damage to oral tissues. This condition usually occurs at night, during sleep.

Like other medical conditions, its severity can vary from patient to patient, and it comes with a wide range of symptoms.

It can be divided into two types:

1. The waking gnashing of teeth: it happens when you are awake, usually when you are under pressure or stressed.

2. Teeth grinding during sleep: it occurs during the hours of sleep. It often occurs during light sleep phases.

Why are you grinding your teeth?

It is essential to understand that teeth grinding is a symptom of other diseases or conditions. Therefore, multiple factors can lead to the development of teeth grinding.

Also, its main causes are malocclusion or dental interference, problems with neurotransmitters in the brain, and most often mental health issues such as stress and anxiety.

Unfortunately, these conditions can trigger an involuntary reaction that results in a non-functional squeak.

Consequences of teeth grinding

The damage caused by teeth grinding is directly related to the severity of the condition. In early and mild cases, there may be no damage or just slight tooth wear.

However, chronic grinding and severe cases can lead to other issues, such as:

• Severe tooth wear
• Residual gums
• Temporomandibular joint disorders
• Loosening and loss of teeth
• Tooth fracture
• Headache
• Sore jaw or pain around it after waking up
• TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder)

How to treat and prevent teeth grinding?

Oralvie can make a custom mouthguard or splint for you to wear at night while you sleep.

This splint protects your mouth by guiding jaw movement to minimize gum damage and tooth wear. Therefore, it relieves the pressure applied during grinding and prevents muscle pain. However, it only reduces the damage caused by teeth grinding without treating the origin.

Since teeth grinding is a symptom, the only way to eliminate it is to treat the underlying cause. In addition, since stress is usually the main cause, certain measures, such as attending stress counseling sessions, physical exercise, meditation and adjusting diet, can help you relieve and prevent the grinding of the teeth.

Teeth grinding is a serious condition that affects thousands of people worldwide and, if left untreated, can cause significant harm and discomfort.

Although the reason for this phenomenon is not always related to your teeth, a consultation with your dentist can put you on the right track to stop and prevent this problem. In addition, he can make a custom-made splint that will make you feel better immediately, protecting your teeth and reducing the discomfort caused.

Article references

Frisbee, E. (2021, July 21). Teeth grinding (bruxism): Causes and treatments. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/

NHS. (2020, May 4). Teeth grinding (bruxism). NHS options. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/teeth-grinding/

Suni, E. (2021, November 29). Bruxism: grinding of teeth at night. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bruxism

Whelan, C. (2020, July 8). How to stop grinding your teeth night and day. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-grinding-teeth

Shetty, S., Pitti, V., Satish Babu, CL, Surendra Kumar, GP, &; Deepthi, BC (2010). Bruxism: A literature review. The Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society, 10(3), 141-148. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13191-011-0041-5