Why do I grind my teeth in my sleep?
Everyone grinds or clenches their teeth from time to time, but regular teeth grinding can lead to serious dental problems. The medical term for teeth grinding is bruxism, which refers to unconscious grinding, gnashing or clenching of the teeth.
Bruxism can occur during the day, but it can also happen during sleep. It is most common in children and adolescents, but around 8-10% of adults experience sleep bruxism.
What causes bruxism?
Why do people grind their teeth in their sleep? There are a number of possibilities, but stress is number one on the list. Around 70% of people who suffer from bruxism experience it due to stress or anxiety.
Bruxism can also be caused by:
Cigarette smoking and the excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine
Certain medications and recreational drugs, such as anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, amphetamines and cocaine
Snoring and sleep apnoea
Genetics – up to half of sleep bruxism sufferers have a close family member with the same condition.
Misalignment of the teeth or jaw was once thought to be a cause of bruxism, but researchers have found no association between alignment and grinding.
Problems associated with teeth grinding
Because clenching and grinding the teeth happens unconsciously during sleep, sufferers are usually not aware of it happening. They also tend to bite or clench much harder than in waking life, and can apply up to 250 pounds of force on their teeth without realising it.
This can really take a toll on your oral health. Grinding and clenching can cause teeth to become worn, cracked, broken or extra sensitive, and in extreme cases can lead to major dental work or loss of teeth.
Bruxism also puts strain on the jaw, which can lead to problems in the joint and surrounding muscles. People who grind their teeth often also experience headaches or pain or stiffness in the face or neck muscles. Bruxism can also contribute to ear aches and sinus pain.
There is also a strong link between temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) and bruxism. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jaw to the skull. TMD refers to problems with the jaw and surrounding area such as pain when chewing, ‘locking’ of the jaw (i.e. difficulty opening and closing the mouth) and clicking in the joint.
Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is another health condition with close connections to bruxism. Sleep apnoea is a serious condition in which the upper airway is obstructed during sleep, causing breathing difficulties and oxygen deprivation. Many people OSA sufferers also grind their teeth in their sleep. More research is needed to establish the exact relationship between the two conditions, but if you have one it might be worth investigating whether you also have the other.
How to tell if you are grinding your teeth
Many people find out that they have bruxism because their partners let them know – in some cases, the grinding noise can be so severe that it keeps them awake!
This is not always the case, though, and your dentist is the most likely health professional to notice the signs. Because bruxism leads to abnormal wear and tear on the teeth, many cases of bruxism are identified during regular dental check-ups.
Symptoms of bruxism can include:
Headaches, jaw pain or ear aches
Sore teeth, especially after waking
Pain or stiffness in the face or temples in the morning
Difficulty chewing
Chipped, cracked or loose teeth.
You might also notice yourself clenching or grinding during the day when you are concentrating, angry or anxious.
If you think you might have sleep bruxism, speak to your doctor or dentist.
Treatment options for bruxism
There is no cure for bruxism, but the good news is that a range of treatments are available that can help reduce the frequency of teeth grinding and limit the damage done to your teeth. The key is to identify and target the factors involved in your specific situation.
Here are some of the things that can help:
Addressing stress or other underlying issues
As stress and anxiety are the top reasons behind habitual teeth grinding, the best treatment is to reduce the amount of stress in your daily life. Meditation, mindfulness, yoga and other relaxation techniques can be helpful, as can seeing a therapist to talk through your problems.
If you think your bruxism is a side effect of medication you are taking, talk to your doctor to find out if there is a suitable alternative available.
Improving your sleep hygiene
Bruxism is a symptom of poor sleep in general, so making sure you are getting the right amount of good quality sleep can go a long way towards reducing teeth grinding.
Making simple improvements to your sleep hygiene such as keeping to a sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and alcohol later in the day and getting regular exercise can make a big difference.
Wearing a mouthguard or splint
Because bruxism can cause serious damage to your teeth, your dentist may recommend that you get fitted for a specially-designed mouthguard, also known as an occlusal splint. These mouthguards keep your upper and lower teeth separated to prevent grinding, and also give your jaw muscles a chance to relax. The obvious benefit is less wear and tear on your teeth, but many people also report a reduction in tension in the jaw area.
Bruxism can cause a lot of problems, but it is easy to treat. So if you think you might be a ‘bruxer’, rest assured that there is a way out of the nightly grind.
IF YOU’RE EXPERIENCING PERSISTENT DISRUPTIONS TO YOUR SLEEP, CONSULT WITH A PHARMACIST OR TRUSTED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.
Any advice provided in this content is of a general nature and does not take into account your objectives, health or needs. The information in this post is not intended to substitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be exclusively relied on to diagnose or manage a medical condition. You need to consider the appropriateness of any information or general advice we give you, having regard to your personal situation, before acting on our advice or purchasing any over-the-counter sleep product.