Bruxism Treatment: Stop Teeth Grinding & Jaw Pain Today
Commonly referred to simply as teeth grinding or jaw clenching, bruxism affects an estimated 10-30% of the population, though many more likely go undiagnosed. For some, it’s a nightly battle that they’re not even aware of until the symptoms become impossible to ignore. For other people, stress or specific activities may trigger bruxism, which can lead to chronic pain in their jaw. When bruxism goes untreated, teeth grinding and jaw clenching can cause pain and discomfort, disrupt your daily life, and even lead to serious dental issues. Treatment options like therapeutic Botox, night guards, stress management, and dental corrections, however, can help relieve both the symptoms and the pain of bruxism while helping you end the cycle of clenching and grinding.
At Norman Smile Center, we understand how frustrating the jaw pain and teeth grinding of bruxism can be and we’re here to help you have a pain-free smile. For more than 30 years, Dr. Kristen Sparks and Dr. Donna Campbell have been helping patients in and around the Norman area relieve the pain of bruxism and improve their overall health. They combine their years of experience with the latest in advanced diagnostics, dental imaging, and treatment techniques to assess your teeth, mouth, and jaw for signs of bruxism; recommend preventative measures to preserve the health of your teeth; and develop tailored treatment solutions that can help relieve discomfort and prevent further damage.
The Basics of Bruxism
Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding or jaw clenching. It can happen while you’re awake or asleep and varies in intensity from mild to severe. While occasional grinding or clenching might not cause significant harm, chronic bruxism can lead to long-term dental and health problems.
There are generally two types of bruxism, awake bruxism and sleep bruxism.
Awake Bruxism
Awake bruxism is a condition in which people unconsciously clench the jaw muscles or grind their teeth during the daytime or when they are awake. This frequently occurs as a reaction to stressful situations, feelings of anxiety, or periods of intense concentration. For example, a person may unconsciously clench their teeth during a stressful work meeting, or perhaps while driving through congested traffic. Even though daytime teeth grinding may not involve the same forceful grinding that occurs during sleep, the repeated clenching of the jaw muscles can still cause tension and fatigue.
Some people also pick up unconscious habits, such as chewing on pens, biting their nails, or chewing their cheek as a response to stress, increasing jaw strain and discomfort and exacerbating awake bruxism. Effective management of awake bruxism hinges on identifying its triggers —including stressors and environmental factors — since addressing these can considerably ease the symptoms.
Sleep Bruxism
Sleep bruxism, on the other hand, is considered a sleep-related movement disorder and typically occurs during the lighter stages of sleep. Unlike awake bruxism, which you can consciously control once you’re aware of it, sleep bruxism happens involuntarily. Many people with sleep bruxism are unaware of their grinding habits until a partner hears the sounds at night or a dentist identifies signs of wear on their teeth.
The force exerted during sleep bruxism can be up to 250 pounds of pressure per square inch—far more than what occurs during normal chewing or daytime clenching. Over time, this can lead to significant damage to teeth and contribute to other complications like headaches, jaw pain, or disrupted sleep patterns. Understanding sleep bruxism as a condition that’s often linked to underlying issues such as sleep apnea or stress can help in finding appropriate treatment options.
Causes of Bruxism
The exact cause of bruxism isn’t always clear, but several factors can contribute to it. These include:
- Stress and Anxiety. High levels of stress or anxiety are among the most common triggers of bruxism.
- Sleep related breathing disorders. Sleep apnea and other sleep related breathing disorders are the most common cause of nighttime bruxism.
- Bite Issues. Problems with the alignment of your teeth or bite can contribute to clenching and grinding.
- Lifestyle Factors. Having too much caffeine or alcohol, smoking, or using recreational drugs can increase the likelihood of bruxism.
- Medical Conditions. Conditions such as sleep apnea, neurological disorders like Parkinson’s, and even acid reflux have been linked to bruxism.
- Medications. Some medications can increase the risk of grinding or clenching. Certain antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), may cause bruxism to develop.
By understanding what is causing you to grind your teeth, you and your doctor can take steps to treat and minimize its effect.
Symptoms of Bruxism
Bruxism symptoms can range from mild to severe or even debilitating. Some common signs of teeth grinding and jaw clenching include:
- Jaw pain or stiffness that make it difficult to open or close your mouth.
- Persistent headaches or migraines, often starting in the morning and sometimes radiating to the neck and shoulders.
- Earaches or a sensation of fullness in the ears, which might be mistaken for an ear infection.
- Teeth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods, as grinding wears down the enamel and exposes sensitive layers underneath.
- Flattened, chipped, or worn-down teeth that can affect the look of your smile.
- Tongue indentations or cheek irritation from unintentional biting.
- Disrupted sleep for you or your partner due to grinding noises, which can be loud enough to wake someone.
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it’s worth discussing them with your dentist or doctor.
Side Effects and Secondary Effects of Bruxism
When bruxism isn’t treated, it can lead to complications and other issues. These include:
- Tooth Damage: Excessive grinding can wear down enamel, crack teeth, or even cause tooth loss.
- TMJ Disorders: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can become strained, leading to chronic pain and difficulty moving the jaw.
- Sleep Disruption: Sleep bruxism can interfere with restorative sleep, leaving you tired and irritable.
Mental Health Impact: Chronic pain and poor sleep quality can take a toll on your mental health, potentially worsening stress and anxiety.
Treatmenting Bruxism
Addressing bruxism isn’t just about relieving immediate discomfort—it’s about protecting your long-term oral health and improving your quality of life. Untreated bruxism can lead to costly dental repairs, chronic pain, and ongoing sleep disturbances.
Moreover, treating bruxism can have a ripple effect on other aspects of your health. For example, reducing jaw tension and improving sleep quality can lower stress levels and even alleviate associated conditions like headaches and neck pain. Additionally, a properly aligned jaw and healthier teeth can boost your confidence and enhance your daily interactions. Taking steps to manage bruxism is a proactive way to invest in both your physical and emotional health.
Bruxism is highly treatable, and by seeking treatment, you can prevent these complications and enjoy better overall well-being. Some of the most common treatment options for bruxism include:
Therapeutic Botox
Therapeutic Botox injections are an increasingly popular treatment for managing bruxism. By relaxing the overactive jaw muscles responsible for clenching and grinding, Therapeutic Botox can significantly reduce symptoms like pain and tooth damage. It can also increase the efficiency and effectiveness of complementary bruxism treatments like night guards or other dental appliances. The therapeutic Botox procedure is quick, minimally invasive, and can be performed right in your dentist’s office, providing almost immediate relief that can last for several months at a time.
Night Guards
Custom-fitted night guards are a common and effective way to protect your teeth from the damage caused by grinding. Worn at night, these devices cushion your teeth and prevent them from grinding against each other.
Sleep Study and Evaluation
Nighttime bruxism is strongly linked to airway and sleep related breathing disorders. An at home sleep test can be performed to evaluate sleep patterns and diagnose sleep related breathing disorders. Treatments may include oral appliance therapy or CPAP.
Stress Management
Since stress is a major contributor to bruxism, incorporating stress-relief practices into your routine can be incredibly helpful. Techniques like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises can lower your stress levels and reduce clenching.
Dental Correction
If misaligned teeth or bite issues are contributing to your bruxism, your dentist might recommend orthodontic treatment or other dental corrections to relieve your symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes
Simple adjustments like cutting back on caffeine and alcohol, avoiding chewing gum, and establishing a calming bedtime routine can make a significant difference in how frequently and/or intensely you grind your teeth.
Behavioral Therapy
Learning to recognize and stop clenching behaviors during the day can help reduce the strain on your jaw muscles. Working with a therapist trained in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can provide additional support.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be an effective way to address the muscle tension and joint strain caused by bruxism. Through targeted exercises and manual therapy techniques, a physical therapist can help improve the range of motion in your jaw and reduce pain. These therapies often focus on stretching and strengthening the muscles around the jaw, neck, and shoulders to promote better alignment and functionality. Additionally, therapists may use techniques like myofascial release to relieve tightness and improve blood flow in the affected areas.
Relieve the Pain of Bruxism with Treatment Options from Norman Smile Center
Bruxism is a common condition, but it doesn’t have to control your life. Whether you’re dealing with jaw pain, headaches, or worn teeth, there are effective solutions available. From therapeutic Botox to custom night guards and stress management, you have options for finding relief.
At Norman Smile Center, we specialize in personalized bruxism treatment plans tailored to your unique needs. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping you achieve lasting relief through a combination of advanced treatments and compassionate care.
Don’t wait to find relief from your bruxism symptoms—schedule an appointment at Norman Smile Center today.