Bruxism: When Grinding Your Teeth Becomes a Serious Condition

Almost everyone grinds their teeth once in a while. It is also common for people to clench their teeth and jaw on occasion. But when the clenching and grinding began happening unconsciously, this can represent a more serious condition known as Bruxism.

Bruxism usually takes place at night while the patient is sleeping. Because the grinding is most often an unconscious reaction, often the sufferer will not realize they are doing it until they began experiencing unusual or painful symptoms of the jaw, teeth and face.

The most common early symptoms of Bruxism are unexplained morning headaches and sore jaw muscles. There may also be some sensitivity in the teeth, and even earaches and soreness of the facial muscles.

In most cases, Bruxism is not a serious condition, and usually only represents a phase a person is going through because of stressful situations at home or work, or other types of unresolved conflict. But if the grinding begins occurring more often, or more severely, it can become a more serious medical problem.

As you would expect, the constant grinding can damage the enamel of the teeth, and even result in tooth loss. But it can also affect your jaw, and in severe cases, causes damage to the jawbone itself. Long-term grinding of the teeth has also been known to contribute to hearing loss, TMJ, and damage to tooth implants, bridges and crowns.

There is even some evidence that the chronic teeth grinding of severe cases of Bruxism can damage the muscles of the face, changing the sufferer's appearance.

The most common way to prevent Bruxism is by using a mouth guard, which can be custom fitted by your dentist. While these guards do not cure the condition, they at least protect the enamel of the teeth from further damage.

The most common treatment for Bruxism is to address the psychological issues which may be causing the grinding to begin with. Anxiety and stress counseling are often recommended, and in some cases anger management therapy may be in order. The idea is to get to the root of the unresolved conflict or underlying hostility that leads to the act of grinding the tea while sleeping.

There are also self-help methods to combat the effects of Bruxism, including using relaxation techniques, breathing exercises and yoga to reduce the overall level of stress. Cutting back on nicotine and especially caffeine is also important for people suffering with Bruxism, as these substances tend to increase the level of cortisol in the body, which adds to an overall feeling of stress.

Additionally, it is recommended that people suffering with Bruxism do not chew gum, or eat hard candies. These things can put additional pressure on the jaw muscles, and often make Bruxism worse.

Massage therapy is also useful for many people. A therapeutic massage of the neck, face and shoulders can help to dissolve stress and minimize the chances of clenching or grinding the teeth at night.

There are also herbal teas and supplements that are sometimes used to help unwind and relax before going to bed. Natural supplements such as chamomile (taken in tea form) are reputed to be excellent calling agents, and can help Bruxism sufferers relax and get a better night's sleep.

One other useful tip for Bruxism is to use a warm compress over the jaw on both sides of the face for 10 to 15 minutes before going to bed. Many users believe that the warm sensation relaxes the job muscles and reduces the incidence of teeth grinding while they sleep.

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