Jaw Clenching and Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Author: WHITE TOOTH DENTAL | | Categories: Dental Assistant , Dental Care , Dental Services , Family Dentistry , General Dentists

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https://www.cda-adc.ca/en/oral_health/talk/complications/bruxism/

White Tooth Dental Takeaways:

Bruxism is a very complex topic, and though this article gives a nice, general overview there are a few points I would disagree with.
 
(1) Bruxism includes any “non-functional” movement of your teeth. It includes both “grinding” and “clenching”. 
 
(2) CAUSES:
 
- We do not have any real answers on the “causes” of bruxism (there is ongoing research in the topic) “crooked, misaligned, broken” or missing teeth are not attributed to bruxism.  They can absolutely contribute to other kinds of “bite issues”, but not bruxism. 
 
- We have learned in the last few years that in some cases, bruxism (grinding more so than clenching) is more often diagnosed in people with sleep disordered breathing (such as sleep apnea) and/ or reflux (“heartburn”). Managing the medical diagnosis can in these patients is sometime show to lessen (or even eliminate) their bruxism. 
 
- Bruxism is a very complex topic. There can be psychological and physical factors contributing to a bruxism diagnosis. For example things ranging from stress, being upset, concentration; to heartburn, sleep disordered breathing issues; a side effect of certain drugs and medications (both prescribed and recreational).
 
(3) DIAGNOSIS and TREATMENT OPTIONS
 
- Treatment of “ crooked, misaligned, or missing teeth” will not “cure” bruxism.
 
- Bruxism is generally “incurable” - we can manage its effects on your jaw joint, jaw muscles and teeth with not just a nightguard, but massage, acupuncture, Botox and other treatment modalities.
Managing any and all known contributing factors to your bruxism diagnosis is important in helping minimize bruxism, but understanding that it will always “be there” and be something you need to manage fur then rest of your life is important.
 
For some additional information, I would recommend checking out: Dr. Priya Mistry- the TMJ Doc  https://youtube.com/c/PriyaMistryDDStheTMJdoc


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