What is bruxism and how does it affect you?

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is the involuntary habit of clenching or grinding the teeth, which can occur at night or during the day. It can become a problem if it happens frequently enough, leading to jaw pain, headaches, tooth damage, and other issues such as disrupting the sleep of the person you sleep next to due to the noise it causes.

Detecting bruxism early is key to preventing more serious complications in the future. Sometimes it may seem harmless, but often it can have a significant impact. Some related conditions include:

1. Various dental problems: flat, broken, and loose teeth.
2. Tooth pain and sensitivity: due to tooth wear.
3. Jaw pain and discomfort: tiredness and pain in the jaw.
4. Headaches: pain that can start in the ear, temple, or forehead.
5. Sleep problems: Due to constant rubbing and tension in the jaw.

As we saw, it’s the gateway to many discomforts that may seem invisible, but sooner or later they show up.

Causes of bruxism

The exact cause of bruxism is not fully understood. It may be due to a combination of physical, mental health, and genetic factors.

• The daytime bruxism It may be due to emotions such as anxiety, stress, anger, frustration, or tension. Bruxism can also be the body’s way of coping or a habit when you’re focused or thinking deeply.
• The nocturnal bruxism It can be a chewing activity related to sleep, with brief interruptions during the night.

We may not know for sure what causes it, but we do know risk factors that can worsen bruxism:

• Stress: Stress or anxiety can lead to grinding and clenching the teeth. Anger and frustration can also contribute.
• Age: Bruxism is common in young children, but it usually goes away in adulthood.
• Personality type: Having an aggressive, competitive, or hyperactive personality may increase the risk of developing bruxism.
• Oral habits during the day: Biting your lips, tongue, or cheeks, or chewing gum for long periods can increase the risk of daytime bruxism.
• Medicines and other substances: Smoking tobacco or consuming caffeine or alcohol can increase the risk of bruxism. The same applies to using recreational drugs or medications not approved by a healthcare professional.
• Family members with bruxism: Nighttime bruxism often runs in families. If you have bruxism, it’s possible that other family members also have it or have a history of it.
• Other conditions: Bruxism can be related to certain mental health conditions and medical illnesses. These include Parkinson’s disease, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), epilepsy, sleep-related disorders such as sleep apnea, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

 What to do if you have bruxism?

So, What can you do if you think you have bruxism?

The most important thing is to detect it as early as possible, since most complications affect you later on.

Visit Ortodóntica! Contact us as soon as possible so we can help you with your bruxism and other related issues.