You may grind your teeth in your sleep for years without realizing what you are doing. Tooth grinding, or bruxism, is involuntary. The reflex may remain undiscovered until your partner or roommate complains about the noise or your dentist finds signs of tooth damage caused by grinding. Grinding cannot be cured, but it can be treated and managed to reduce the damage to your teeth and jaw.
Causes
Stress and internalized anger contribute to bruxism, says World Dental. These conditions cause excess energy that is released only during sleep through tooth grinding. Other contributing factors include allergies, poor nutrition, facial trauma or nervous system disorders, writes Dr. Stanley J. Swierzewski III for Healthcommunities. Alcohol and drug use may also lead to bruxism. Tooth grinding generally begins during adolescence or early adulthood. The incidence declines with age, and it is unusual for bruxism to begin in adults older than 40, says Swierzewski, who estimates up to 20 percent of adults grind their teeth while they sleep.
Effects
Over time, bruxism leads to chronic headaches and jaw pain. Tooth surfaces may wear down so much that the bite is affected and the jaw no longer closes properly, leading to jaw pain and temporomandibular joint disorder. Additionally, tooth enamel erodes more quickly in people who grind their teeth compared with those who do not. Their front teeth wear down and other teeth may crack, leading to nerve damage. The grinding motion can loosen teeth and create pockets between the teeth and gum, raising the risk of gum disease.
Treatment
Relaxation techniques help reduce nighttime tooth grinding, suggests World Dental. Warm, moist compresses held against the jaw, warm baths before bed and massages help relax your jaw and relieve stress. Limit caffeine and alcohol, exercise regularly and avoid chewy or hard foods to reduce stress on your jaw. Consider assertiveness training to learn how to release your anger and frustration, or take classes to learn meditation techniques or coping skills.
Protection
A mouth guard helps protect your teeth while you sleep, advises Consumer Guide. Occlusive guards may protect your teeth from further damage, but they will not stop the grinding motion. Headaches and muscle aches associated with bruxism likely will continue even if you use a night guard.
Selection
Material and fit are integral to the effectiveness of occlusive guards, says Consumer Guide. Off-the-shelf horseshoe-shaped guards are uncomfortable and may affect breathing. Guards made from soft plastic quickly become chewy and may encourage grinding. If you purchase an off-the-shelf guard, choose one that requires you to boil it and then bite into the softened plastic to make an impression of your teeth. Customized guards from your dentist provide the most comfortable and snug fit, says the Teeth Grinding Cure, although they are expensive. Mouth guards intended for sports uses are not designed for long nighttime wear and will break down.
