Bruxism & Temporomandibular Disorders

Parafunctional habits like excessive, regular grinding or clenching of your teeth and jaw can cause excessive wear on the teeth. This can happen either during the day or while you’re asleep, and can result in tooth surface loss as the grinding motion wears away the enamel of the tooth.

Bruxism is a condition characterised by excessive grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaw – either while awake or during sleep, and may play a role in temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

While not everyone experiences pain or discomfort caused by bruxism, some people can suffer from headaches, neck ache, facial pain, earache, disrupted sleep, and pain and stiffness in the jaw.

Your temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear. It lets you move your jaw up and down and side to side, so you can talk, chew, and yawn.

Problems with your jaw and the muscles in your face that control it are known as Temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Dentists believe symptoms arise from problems with the muscles of your jaw or with the parts of the joint itself. TMD often causes severe pain and discomfort. It can be temporary or last many years. It might affect one or both sides of your face, can be brought on when you are stressed or anxious, but is often an unconscious action and often patients do it while sleeping.

More women than men have it, and it’s most common among people between the ages of 20 and 40.

Bruxism can occur during sleep and even when awake.

‘Awake bruxism’ is thought to be related to psychosocial factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Habits such as nail biting, bracing one’s jaw, pencil chewing, and tongue or cheek biting – are also considered to be forms of awake bruxism.

‘Sleep bruxism’, also known as parafunction or parasomnia, is thought to be related to micro-arousals during the sleep cycle.

Many patients are unaware that they clench or grind their teeth, particularly if they have sleep bruxism. The following symptoms may be indicative of bruxism:

  • Sleep partner’s complaint of tooth grinding
  • Waking with teeth clenched
  • Waking with tenderness and restriction in the muscles of mastication
  • Waking with tooth or gum sensitivity
  • Indentations in the inside of the cheeks or the edges of the tongue
  • Excessive dental wear, including loosening or fracturing of the teeth.
  • Snoring can be an indicator of sleep bruxism

People who grind their teeth or clench their jaw do not necessarily develop TMD. However, in some cases, bruxism can lead to TMD or aggravate an existing condition. Over time, severe bruxism can change your bite, and excessive grinding can gradually push your teeth out of their proper position. Bruxism can also cause damage to your teeth and dental restorations, resulting in a misaligned bite. Jaw misalignment can lead to TMJ disorder.

If you have dental damage or a misaligned bite due to bruxism, contact ADI to find out what treatment options are available to assist you, and help to prevent TMD.