Teeth grinding during sleep is an abnormal condition characterized by tightly clenching or repeatedly grinding the upper and lower teeth against each other. Those who grind their teeth might do so over 80-100 times in one night. People who grind their teeth often do not realize it, similar to those who snore and are unaware of their snoring.
The type of teeth grinding that involves tightly clenching usually does not produce any noise, which means it often goes undetected. This makes teeth grinding a silent hazard that you may not be aware of.
Teeth grinding is challenging to diagnose because it occurs briefly, might not make noise, and the individual is usually unaware during sleep. The best diagnosis involves a sleep study conducted at a hospital or home to measure the activity of the masticatory muscles during sleep, or wearing a brux checker while sleeping. Other methods include observing symptoms resulting from teeth grinding, such as stiffness or pain in the temples, face, or neck upon waking, sensitivity or pain in multiple teeth, or observing damage like chipped or cracked teeth, enlarged jaw muscles, or bony growths in the mouth. If you notice these symptoms, it may indicate that you are grinding your teeth.
Consequences of Teeth Grinding:
- Worn-down teeth, leading to shorter teeth, increased tooth sensitivity, and aesthetic issues as the face may appear shorter because the teeth help maintain facial structure.
- Chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth leading to pain and high treatment costs.
- Jaw and facial pain making it difficult to open the mouth or chew, affecting both physical health and emotional well-being.
- Enlarged jaw bones or muscle, leading to a square-shaped face.
- Strained relationships, as the noise from grinding can disturb others sleeping nearby.
How to Treat Teeth Grinding:
- As the exact cause of teeth grinding is unknown, treatment to completely stop it may not be fully effective. Managing triggers such as stress, caffeine from tea, coffee, or certain soft drinks, alcohol, smoking, drugs, or certain medications is recommended. Addressing snoring and sleep apnea, which can accompany teeth grinding, is also beneficial.
Treatment Methods for Teeth Grinding:
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, smoking, and heavy meals before bedtime. Keep the bedroom quiet, clean, and not too brightly lit. Avoid exciting activities before sleep.
- Wear an occlusal splint to prevent tooth wear.
- Use a Mandibular Advancement Device to treat snoring and sleep apnea along with teeth grinding.
- Medication may be prescribed to modify sleep patterns and help reduce teeth grinding.
