Alternative Names clenching teeth, bruxism, bruxing, night grinding, gnashing of teeth
Definition Grinding or clenching of the teeth is called bruxism. It usually occurs when a person is asleep. The grinding noise can be quite noticeable to others who are nearby. Sometimes, it can also take place while a person is awake.
What is going on in the body? Clenching or grinding the teeth is a mechanism for release of emotional stress. When a person is awake, the action often occurs during anger, intense concentration, or physical exertion.
This habit can be very harmful to the teeth and jaws. It can also damage the jaw joints. In addition to emotional stress, bruxism can also be caused by an abnormal alignment of the teeth or jaw. It can also be connected to drug and alcohol use. Bruxism is common in children when their teeth are erupting.
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition? Symptoms of bruxism include:
noticeable grinding sounds while a person is sleeping
sore teeth, especially in the morning
stiff or sore jaw joints or muscles when chewing, especially in the morning
wear on the teeth
hairline cracking of the enamel on some teeth
headache
What are the causes and risks ? Teeth grinding can occur without the person knowing it. The pressure exerted by grinding and clenching can damage to the teeth and jawbones. In time, this can lead to severe wear of the teeth, and tooth loss. Continued stress and trauma to the jaw joints, or temporomandibular joints, can contribute to a type of arthritis and muscular tension called temporomandibular dysfunction syndrome, or TMD. This is difficult to treat.
What can be done to prevent the condition? Prevention and treatment of this condition are very similar. Treatment is aimed at stopping the habitual clenching or grinding of the teeth. A person should visit a dentist as soon as he or she is aware of this problem.
Prevention/treatment may include:
stress therapy
mild sleeping aids
muscle relaxants
night bite protective appliances
bite modification procedures, sometimes called bite equilibration
orthodontics, which are special dental appliances such as braces
repair of faulty dental crowns or restorations
replacement of missing teeth
How is the condition diagnosed? This condition is often diagnosed by someone close to the affected person. A dentist who detects certain changes when looking at a person's mouth can also discover it. The person may be totally unaware of the condition, especially in the early stages. Dental x-rays are also helpful in diagnosing the condition. They can show early damage to the bone as well as the teeth.
What are the long-term effects of the condition? If ignored or inadequately treated, bruxism can lead to serious complications. These include:
severe wear on teeth
cracking or breaking of teeth
loss of teeth
painful or stiff jaw joints
What happens after treatment for the condition? If treated early and adequately by a dentist, there should be no lasting problems.
How is the condition monitored? People and their friends and family can help monitor for further teeth grinding. The affected person can also monitor for other symptoms, such as headaches and jaw pain. Regular examinations by a dentist can check for complications of bruxism.
Author: Marvin Goldfogel, DDS Reviewer: HealthAnswers Australia Medical Review Panel Editor: Dr David Taylor, Chief Medical Officer HealthAnswers Australia Last Updated: 1/10/2001 Contributors Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request
