Have you ever heard of the term bruxism? If not, you’ve almost certainly heard of its other name: teeth grinding. The symptoms of this condition are far-reaching and underdiagnosed in many cases—but at Smiles of Palmetto Bay, we’re fully aware of how orthodontics can help with bruxism.
What Exactly is Bruxism?
Bruxism refers to the habitual and often involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth. It can occur during the day (awake bruxism), at night (sleep bruxism) or be a combination of the two. Nighttime grinding is more problematic since you’re unaware of it and unable to control it. Here are three main actions of bruxism:
- Grinding: A back-and-forth motion that wears down teeth.
- Clenching: Persistent pressure on teeth without movement, which can still cause discomfort and damage.
- Audible Symptoms: Partners or family members are usually able to hear loud grinding sounds while you sleep.
If left untreated, bruxism can lead to serious dental issues, including significant enamel wear, gum recession, and even temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD).
Common Causes:
- Stress and anxiety
- Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea
- Misaligned teeth or bite issues
- Medications or certain medical conditions
- Lifestyle habits, such as tobacco, caffeine, or alcohol use
Other Symptoms:
- Jaw pain or stiffness
- Tooth sensitivity or pain
- Flattened or chipped teeth
- Headaches, especially in the morning
- Earaches or facial pain
- Worn-down enamel, increasing the risk of cavities
- Disrupted sleep for you or your partner
How We Diagnose Bruxism
There are several approaches we can use at Smiles of Palmetto Bay to attain an accurate diagnosis in patients of all ages. Again—even if you’ve experienced a few of the symptoms listed above, it can be tough to put all the pieces together on your own.
- Comprehensive Exam: We’ll start with a thorough examination of your teeth and jaw to identify signs of grinding or misalignment.
- Bite Analysis: We’ll evaluate how your upper and lower teeth fit together to see if a bad bite is contributing to bruxism.
- X-Rays: Advanced imaging helps us assess internal damage, misaligned teeth, or other contributing factors.
- Sleep Studies: For certain severe cases, we may recommend a professional sleep study with another specialist’s help to monitor muscle activity and jaw movements during sleep.
How Orthodontics Can Help
Allowing Dr. Ross and Dr. Iglesias to address the issue on an anatomical level is often one of the most impactful methods to treat bruxism, though it may be a part of a broader plan. Here are a few ways we do this:
- Custom Night Guards: One of the most common treatments, night guards act as a protective barrier between your upper and lower teeth. Custom-made at our office, these appliances prevent grinding and reduce the risk of enamel damage.
- Aligning Your Bite: Misaligned teeth often contribute to bruxism. Braces or Invisalign can correct your bite, ensuring that your teeth fit together properly and reducing strain on your jaw muscles.
- Adjusting Jaw Position: Orthodontic appliances can gently guide your jaw into a more comfortable position, alleviating tension and reducing the likelihood of clenching or grinding.
Additional Treatments and Lifestyle Changes
When combined with orthodontics, the following tools and techniques have proven very effective for resolving mild, moderate, and severe bruxism.
- Stress Management Techniques: Addressing stress-related bruxism is very common. While orthodontics focuses on physical solutions, we can recommend complementary therapies like mindfulness, meditation, or even cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to manage stress.
- Behavioral Training: Becoming aware of daytime teeth clenching and consciously relaxing your jaw can significantly reduce stress on your teeth and muscles.
- Enhanced Sleep Practices: Building a calming bedtime routine, reducing screen exposure before sleep, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule can help prevent nocturnal teeth grinding.
- Short-Term Medications: Muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatories may be prescribed to alleviate tension and reduce discomfort in certain acute cases.
- Limit Stimulants: Reducing caffeine intake, nicotine, and alcohol—particularly if consumed in the evening—can combat their stimulatory effects, which often fuel bruxism.
- Dietary Shifts: Avoiding hard, sticky, or chewy foods can minimize strain on your jaw.
- Special Jaw Exercises: Gentle stretching or strengthening exercises, recommended by us or a specialist, can improve jaw mobility and alleviate tension.
Why Choose Smiles of Palmetto Bay?
- Expertise: Our team has extensive experience diagnosing and treating bruxism in both children and adults.
- Advanced Tools: From digital imaging to custom-made appliances, we use state-of-the-art techniques to ensure the best results.
- Holistic Approach: We look beyond the symptoms to address the root causes of your bruxism, tailoring treatment to your family’s needs.
If you know or suspect that you’re suffering from bruxism, you’re always welcome into our office for a free consultation so we can take a closer look!