Navigation
[TITLE]

[MESSAGE]

[BUTTONS]

Popular questions...

Content

What are the symptoms of bruxism?

Bruxism that occurs during sleep can be detected from the sounds made by the grinding of the teeth. Other signs and symptoms can include: muscle tightness and stiffness around the temples or jaws, which is most noticeable after sleep; difficulty opening the mouth; aching teeth that may be more sensitive to hot and cold temperatures; tightness and stiffness of shoulder muscles; worn or damaged teeth, and; soreness of (or tooth indentations in) the tongue or inside the cheeks.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is the unintentional clenching or grinding of the teeth. While it mostly occurs during sleep, some people can also do it while they are awake.

What causes bruxism?

While the exact causes of bruxism have not been identified, factors that are thought to contribute to development of bruxism include: stress and anxiety; sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea; problems with teeth alignment; gastric reflux; some medications, …

Who can develop bruxism?

Bruxism can occur at any age. Although it is commonly found in children, they often outgrow it.

How is bruxism diagnosed?

Bruxism is often detected by a dentist, who can observe damage to teeth or bones and muscle tenderness. It may also be detected during a sleep study.

How is bruxism treated?

Many cases of bruxism may not require treatment. If the symptoms are bothersome or causing dental damage, treatment options include wearing mouth guards or occlusal splints (night-guards) while sleeping, stress management, or dental treatment to correct teeth …

Can bruxism be cured?

Bruxism in adults may be cured by changing lifestyle habits that are known risk factors for the development of the condition.

Will bruxism clear on its own?

Children often outgrow their bruxism. In adults, bruxism can stop when you make changes in the lifestyle habits that may be causing it.

What can be done at home to treat bruxism?

To treat bruxism at home, adopting stress and anxiety-reducing measures may be helpful. Additionally, avoiding excessive consumption of stimulants, such as recreational drugs and alcohol, may treat symptoms of bruxism.

Is bruxism serious?

Many cases of bruxism are not serious, although severe cases can lead to ongoing troublesome symptoms, such as headaches, restricted jaw movement and aching shoulder muscles. Development of dental problems, such as loss or misalignment of teeth, can also occur.

Related topics

Diseases & conditions

Obstructive sleep apnea

Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder in which breathing stops or is slowed for short periods during sleep. It can cause mild symptoms like daytime tiredness or a morning headache, but can also lead to serious complications that can be life threatening. It is important to treat sleep apnoea.…
Diseases & conditions

Root canal treatment

Root canal treatment is a dental procedure used to save an infected or badly decayed tooth. It involves removal of infected or damaged pulp from within the tooth. This tooth will no longer feel hot or cold, but will still feel biting pressure and function normally.…
Diseases & conditions

Wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth usually appear during the late teens or early twenties and are found at the very back of the mouth. Wisdom teeth do not usually require any treatment. However, if they do become impacted then they may need to be removed. This is usually a straight forward procedure.…
Diseases & conditions

Oral hygiene

Clean and healthy teeth and gums are essential for good oral health. Regular brushing and flossing can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss. Together with regular dental check-ups and a healthy, balanced diet, your teeth can and should last a lifetime.…
Diseases & conditions

Dentures

Missing teeth often cause difficulties with chewing and speaking and can affect the appearance of your smile. For this reason, many people choose to replace their missing teeth with dentures, or ‘false teeth’, which are custom-made to fit your mouth.…
Diseases & conditions

Cosmetic dentistry

There are many reasons why a person may want to improve the appearance of their smile, such as having missing, stained or damaged teeth. Cosmetic dentistry encompasses a range of options to make teeth look more attractive, including whitening, repair and replacement.…

About this article

Author: Dr Bow Tauro PhD, BSc (Hons)
First answered: 22 Sep 2014
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Votes: 470 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Obstructive sleep apnea

×

Content goes in here.