What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is the medical term for grinding the teeth or clenching the jaw. Many kids have it, but most outgrow it without lasting problems.
What Causes Bruxism?
Kids might grind their teeth for a few reasons, including:
- teeth that aren’t aligned properly
- pain, such as from an earache orteething
- stress; for instance, from worry about a test or a change in routine. Even arguing with parents and siblings can cause enough stress to prompt teeth grinding or jaw clenching.
- medical reasons, like hyperactivity, cerebral palsy, or some types of medicines
What Problems Can Happen?
Many times bruxism (BRUKS-iz-em) isn’t noticed and doesn’t cause problems. Often, it's more bothersome to other family members because of the grinding sound.
But sometimes it can cause:
- headaches
- worn down tooth enamel or chipped teeth
- sensitive teeth
- face, ear, or jaw pain
How Is Bruxism Diagnosed?
Many kids who grind their teeth don’t know they do. Often, siblings or parents are the ones who notice the problem.
Some signs to watch for:
- grinding noises when your child is sleeping
- complaints of a sore jaw or face after waking up in the morning
- pain with chewing
If you think your child grinds their teeth, visit the dentist, who will check the teeth for chipped enamel and unusual wear and tear, and spray air and water on them to check for sensitivity.
If the teeth are damaged, the dentist may ask a few questions to look what’s causing the grinding, such as misaligned teeth or stress.
How Is Bruxism Treated?
If teeth-grinding and clenching make a child's face and jaw sore or damage the teeth, dentists may prescribe a special night guard. Molded to a child's teeth, the night guard is similar to the mouthpieces athletes wear to protect their teeth. A night guard can take some getting used to, but it usually helps quickly.
How Can Parents Help?
Whatever the cause of bruxism, help kids relax before bedtime — they might take a warm bath or shower, listen to a few minutes of soothing music, or read a book.
For bruxism from stress, ask about what's upsetting your child and find a way to help. For example, a kid who worries about being away from home for a first camping trip might need reassurance that mom or dad will be nearby if needed.
If the issue is more complicated, such as moving to a new town, talk to your child about it and try to ease any fears. If you're concerned, talk to your doctor.
In rare cases, basic stress relievers aren't enough to stop bruxism. If your child can’t sleep or acts differently than usual, work with your dentist or doctor to find the cause of the stress and make a plan to help.
Most kids outgrow bruxism when they lose their baby teeth. In the meantime, routine dental visits can help find and treat bruxism.
FAQs
Bruxism (BRUK-siz-um) is a condition in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously clench your teeth when you're awake (awake bruxism) or clench or grind them during sleep (sleep bruxism). Sleep bruxism is considered a sleep-related movement disorder.
What is the primary trigger of sleep bruxism? ›
Sleep-related microarousals correlate with sleep bruxism, whereas stress and heightened alertness often cause awake bruxism. Risk factors include sleep apnea, anxiety, genetic predisposition, sleep disorders, medication use, and neurologic and psychiatric disorders.
Does bruxism run in families? ›
Age – Teeth grinding is common in children. Age-related bruxism usually goes away by adulthood. Family – Nighttime or sleep bruxism often runs in families, so if you have a parent, grandparent or sibling who grinds their teeth at night, you might be more likely to grind your teeth too.
Is bruxism teeth grinding or clenching? ›
Clenching or grinding of the teeth (bruxism) is a common activity that can occur both during the day and at night. Some prefer to split these concepts into separate behaviors while others group them together. Grinding or bruxism involves moving the jaw with the teeth held together.
How do you stop an elderly person from grinding their teeth? ›
- Treatment for teeth grinding involves managing discomfort and avoiding triggers.
- Mouth exercises and massages can help reduce pain and relieve muscle tension caused by teeth grinding.
- Mouthguards, stress reduction, and medication may reduce or eliminate sleep disruptions and tooth damage.
Teeth grinding often happens when someone is relaxed or asleep (sleep bruxism). It can also happen when awake (awake bruxism), often when you're stressed, anxious, angry, or concentrating really hard.
What deficiency causes bruxism? ›
Sleep bruxism was associated with vitamin D deficiency and low consumption of calcium and was also associated with increased scores of anxiety and depression. Further investigations should be performed to check if vitamin D and calcium supplementation could relieve sleep bruxism.
How to stop clenching your jaw when sleeping? ›
Lifestyle and home remedies
- Reduce stress. Listening to music, taking a warm bath or exercising can help you relax and may reduce your risk of developing bruxism.
- Avoid stimulating substances in the evening. ...
- Practice good sleep habits. ...
- Talk to your sleep partner. ...
- Schedule regular dental exams.
Causes
- Psychosocial factors: Stress, mood, distress, nervousness, and “feeling blue.”
- A person's genes.
- Consuming alcohol or caffeine.
- Smoking.
- Medications: Certain medicines used to treat depression, seizures, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may increase the chances of having bruxism.
Many people get confused between bruxism and TMJ disorder. They can be associated and interrelated but they are two very different things. Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, is a condition which occurs as a result of an individual grinding or clenching their teeth.
Bruxism is occasionally encountered in patients with advanced dementia and raises concerns about nutritional compromise and about potential need for poorly tolerated dental treatment. Trazodone may potentially be effective for bruxism in some patients.
What worsens bruxism? ›
Oral health specialists often point to too much stress and certain personality types as causes of bruxism. Bruxism often affects people with nervous tension, such as anger, pain, or frustration. It also affects people with aggressive, hurried, or overly competitive tendencies.
How to stop grinding teeth at night without a mouth guard? ›
Chewing sugar-free gum containing xylitol can help strengthen your jaw muscles and reduce the urge to grind your teeth at night. Simple jaw and mouth exercises can relax the muscles involved in teeth grinding. Gently open and close your mouth and move your jaw from side to side for a few minutes each day.
How do I know if I clench or grind my teeth? ›
If you suspect you are suffering from bruxism, there are several signs to look out for: Tight or sore jaw muscles. Flattened teeth. Cracked, chipped, or loose teeth.
Where is a bruxism headache located? ›
The temples, forehead, or area behind the eyes are the typical locations for bruxism headaches. This is because bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching, often leads to tension in the jaw, neck, and head muscles. This tension commonly causes headaches.
Why does my grandma grind her teeth? ›
Causes of teeth grinding
It's often linked to: stress and anxiety – this is the most common cause of teeth grinding. sleep problems like snoring and sleep apnoea. taking certain medicines, including a type of antidepressant known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Is teeth grinding a symptom of anything? ›
There are many risk factors for bruxism, including: Stress and anxiety. Feeling overwhelmed and stressed can result in bruxism. If you have depression or anxiety disorders — like major depressive disorder (MDD) or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) — you're more prone to bruxism.
What deficiency causes teeth grinding? ›
Sleep bruxism was associated with vitamin D deficiency and low consumption of calcium and was also associated with increased scores of anxiety and depression. Further investigations should be performed to check if vitamin D and calcium supplementation could relieve sleep bruxism.
