The Tribune

By Dr Tamika Ferguson

HAVE YOU ever woken up in the morning with headaches, a painful jaw or a chipped tooth? If so, you may be grinding your teeth while you sleep at night.

Bruxism is a condition defined as clenching or grinding your teeth. Most people who are bruxers are not fully conscious of this habit.

In the majority of cases, teeth grinding occurs while the individual is asleep. Therefore, their partner or people they live with are the first to notice due to the terrible grinding sounds the person makes. Some also grind or clench their teeth during the day. This is thought to be associated with stress or anxiety.

There are various causes for bruxism, with stress being the most popular. It can also be caused due to malocclusion (where teeth do not come together properly) and bruxing is the body’s response. A less common cause is as a side effect of psychiatric medications, for example anti-depressants. It can also simply be a coping mechanism or focusing habit for an individual. In children, bruxism can be a response to pain from an earache or teething.

Grinding your teeth can lead to several dental complications. Not only can dental fillings be fractured but your natural tooth as well. The persistent grinding of the teeth together can cause enamel to be worn down, which results in exposure of dentin and increased tooth sensitivity. With the increased fracturing of teeth and fillings plus tooth sensitivity more extensive dental treatment will be needed; for example crowns, root canals etc. Further, bruxism can be one of the main differentials for jaw dysfunction, unexplained facial pain and headaches when one wakes up in the morning.

If you are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms it’s time to visit your dentist, who will determine if you are a bruxer and your best treatment option. You should expect questions about sources of stress, life changes and what medications you are currently taking.

The dentist will also examine you, paying close attention to your jaw muscles and the appearance of your teeth, looking for any evidence of grinding. He or she will look for chipped teeth, poor tooth alignment and will test tooth sensitivity.

The main preliminary treatment for bruxism is a nightguard - basically a nighttime mouthguard. It will prevent teeth from grinding together protecting them from wear. Your dentist will make a customised nightguard for you.

In order to properly treat bruxism, the initial cause must be known. If it is from stress then you may need professional counselling. If the cause is malocclusion, your dentist may have to adjust your bite and if bruxism is a result of medications your medical doctor may have to change your medication.

Grinding your teeth may not sound like a serious problem but it is harmful and if severe can cause a lot of pain. If you have started to experience any of the symptoms listed above please seek treatment immediately to prevent future expense and save your teeth.