How To Manage The Symptoms And Impacts Of Teeth Grinding
Has a partner ever complained they can hear your grinding teeth at night? Or perhaps you’re battling a persistent sore jaw? You could be clenching or grinding your teeth. You could even be doing it right now. The good news is that experts say there are ways for adults to manage the symptoms and impacts.
What is bruxism?
Oral medicine specialist Nicole Heaphy is head of the Oral Medicine Unit at Melbourne’s Royal Dental Hospital and an associate professor with the Melbourne Dental School. She says teeth grinding and clenching is known as bruxism. “It’s been defined as repetitive jaw muscle activity,” Dr Heaphy says, and it can happen while people are asleep or awake. It’s an involuntary clenching, grinding and gnashing of teeth. Dr Heaphy says “it’s very common” and dentists and oral specialists will “look for certain signs”. “We can see it from their jaw muscles, we can see it from the wear on their teeth, we can see it from where they’re biting their cheeks.”
What causes teeth grinding and clenching?
Dr Heaphy says grinding while awake could be indicative of psychosocial factors, and while asleep it may be indicative of a sleep pattern issue or possibly be part of a sleep disorder. There are factors that contribute to bruxism, she says, including caffeine, alcohol, smoking, snoring, stress, anxiety, certain antidepressants, certain antipsychotics and the use of amphetamines like cocaine.
What To do about teeth grinding and clenching?
While the causes can be nuanced, both Dr Weerakoon and Dr Heaphy agree that the best way to protect your teeth is by wearing an occlusal splint while you sleep. It’s a mouthguard or night guard, usually fitted and purchased through a dentist. Dr Heaphy says a splint generally costs between $800 to $1,400, depending on the type of splint, clinic and whether you’re seeing a dentist or a specialist. There are cheaper mouth guard options available online and at pharmacies.