Most people probably grind their teeth from time to time. Occasional teeth grinding, medically referred to as bruxism, doesn’t usually cause many problems, however, when the grinding happens on a regular basis, your teeth can be harmed. Doctors don’t have the whole story as to what causes bruxism, but they speculate it may be caused by a combination of physical, psychological and genetic factors. The cause for teeth grinding can be related to various behaviors and situations. Sometimes caused by stress and anxiety, bruxism often occurs at nighttime during sleep. This is usually due to an abnormal bite, missing or crooked teeth or perhaps by sleeping disorders.
Let’s take a look at the most common causes of teeth grinding.
Stress & Anxiety
When you experience an increased level of anxiety or stress, this can sometimes lead to teeth grinding. So can anger and frustration. Most commonly, if your teeth grinding is due to these heightened emotional states, you’re experiencing awake bruxism (day-time teeth grinding). This may be considered a coping strategy just like someone would bite their nails or bounce their leg. This will typically happen when you’re having to go through long periods of deep concentration. Since this type is happening subconsciously, it will likely take some effort to recognize the behavior in order to stop it.
Medication and Other Substances
Believe it or not, bruxism could be the uncommon side effect of some psychiatric medications like certain antidepressants. This is mostly linked back to the suppression of stress, anxiety, and other feelings of tension. Smoking tobacco, drinking an abundance of caffeine or alcohol, or using any type of recreational drugs may also increase your risk of experiencing bruxism.
Night-time bruxism is considered to be a sleep-related, movement disorder. This ‘sleep bruxism’ may be a chewing related action caused by any disruption during sleep. People who clench or grind their teeth (brux) during sleep are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring and disruptions in breathing (sleep apnea). Some doctors speculate that bruxism can be linked with other mental health issues and some medical disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, epilepsy, night terrors, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Avoid Teeth Grinding
If stress is causing you to grind your teeth, ask our office about options to help you reduce your stress. Attending stress counseling, having a stable exercise routine, or looking into meditation are some options to look into. If you experience some type of medical disorder that’s causing your grinding, having it looked at and treated properly will probably reduce or get rid of the grinding habit.
In most cases, bruxism doesn’t cause serious complications and is usually a temporary issue due to certain behaviors or stressful situations. However, severe bruxism can cause serious problems like tension headaches, jaw pain, and even physical damage to your teeth. Because you may have a certain type of bruxism and could be unaware until noticeable symptoms develop, it’s important to seek regular dental care and express your concerns.
Teeth grinding or bruxism doesn’t have to be serious, but if it’s causing you concern or any pain, it’s best for us to take a look. To avoid any further issues with your teeth grinding, visit our professional and pleasant office here at Mountain View Dental. If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, give us a call today at 385-324-3557.