Your alarm goes off and you open your eyes. As soon as you get out of bed, your skull is pounding and your jaw feels numb… just another morning. What if it’s bruxism? Behind this barbaric term lies a fairly common phenomenon: grinding or clenching your teeth. Find out if this is the case for you in our article.
Definition of bruxism
Bruxism is when you grind or clench your teeth, whether at night or during the day. It’s an involuntary phenomenon that most often occurs during sleep. At this point, you lose control of your body, allowing the stress and anxiety accumulated during the day to manifest itself in the form of bruxism.
For some people, bruxism can be severe. This usually results in teeth grinding. For others, the symptoms may be milder, manifesting as a clenching of the jaw, also known as ‘clenching’.
Whatever the type of bruxism, the consequences can be painful and difficult to live with. Especially over the long term.
What are the symptoms?
As mentioned above, bruxism can manifest itself differently in different people. If you’re thinking about grinding or clenching your teeth, here’s a list of symptoms you might experience:
- Tooth hypersensitivity
- Pain in the jaw, sometimes radiating to the ears
- Neck pain
- Chronic headaches
- Muscle tension in the shoulders
- Difficulty waking up, with headaches and tiredness
- Difficulty opening or closing the jaw
- Clicking noises in the ears when chewing
If you recognise any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to consult your dentist. He or she will be able to assess your situation and tell you what steps to take to treat it.
In some cases, you may not even be aware that you are clenching or grinding your teeth. As a result, it can be difficult to understand the origin of certain pains. Other healthcare professionals, such as osteopaths, can also detect bruxism, particularly if you suffer from chronic neck pain.
Why do I clench or grind my teeth?
Bruxism is generally a physical manifestation of stress and anxiety. It can be caused by factors linked to your daily life or to specific events such as bereavement or job loss. Excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol or drugs can also increase the propensity for bruxism. Smoking and taking antidepressants also encourage clenching or grinding of the teeth, as do certain neurological diseases (such as Parkinson’s or epilepsy).
How is bruxism treated?
Bruxism is a difficult condition to treat, as it can be influenced by many different factors. Generally, your dentist will prescribe a mouthpiece. You have to wear it at night, which will protect your teeth when you unconsciously feel the urge to clench or grind them. It will also take the strain off your jaw muscles and joints. Over time, the mouthpiece will help to relax your muscles and reduce or even stop the clenching or grinding of your teeth.
If you grind or clench your teeth during the day, it’s important to be aware of it. That way, you can concentrate on avoiding it or pinpoint the times when it happens.
It’s important to stress that this article provides general information on bruxism, but each case is unique. It is always advisable to consult a health professional, such as a dentist, for a precise diagnosis and recommendations tailored to your individual situation.
✅ What to remember
- Bruxism is the clenching or grinding of teeth.
- It can happen during the day or at night
- If you have any symptoms, consult a dentist
- The most effective treatment is a mouthpiece
