Teeth grinding is medically known as a condition called bruxism. The painful symptoms of severe teeth grinding and clenching include headaches, jaw pain and even tooth damage.
Bruxism affects more than six million people in the UK. But the severity of the symptoms and the frequency of grinding varies. Most cases of bruxism (80%) are mild and occur subconsciously during sleep.
But, when it’s frequent and severe, grinding your teeth can aggravate the joints in your lower jaw, also known as the temporomandibular joints, or TMJ. Bruxism is usually associated with contributing factors, such as stress or anxiety.
Signs you may suffer from bruxism:
• Pain or tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when you chew, speak or open your mouth wide
• Limited ability to open the mouth very wide
• Jaws that get “stuck” or “lock” in the open or closed position
• Clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth (which may or may not be accompanied by pain)
• A tired feeling in the face
• Difficulty chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite, as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly
• Swelling on the side of the face.
• Other common symptoms of TMJ disorders include toothaches, headaches/migraines, neck aches, dizziness, earaches, hearing problems, upper shoulder pain and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
Treatment for Bruxism include:
Mouth guards – can be effective in preventing wear and tear on the teeth caused by grinding but doesn’t stop you from grinding your teeth
Mouth splints – splints stop you from being able to lock your jaw together so they can stop you grinding and clenching.
Reducing stress – sometimes it’s difficult to make life less stressful. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) may be beneficial in helping you to manage your problems by changing the way you think and how you act.
Lifestyle – make some simple lifestyle changes, if you smoke then give up and don’t smoke before bed, reduce your alcohol consumption and take time out to enjoy some rest and relaxation daily.
Learn more about treatment options by clicking here…
