Clenching or grinding of the teeth (bruxism) is a common activity that can occur both during the day and at night.
Q: What causes sleep bruxism?
A: The exact cause of sleep bruxism is not known, however, it has been found to be associated with several factors such as daytime stress, anxiety, obstructive sleep apnea, loud snoring, heavy alcohol use, caffeine, smoking, and certain antidepressant drugs.. Recently, studies have shown that bruxing episodes during sleep are preceded by an increase of brain activity and heart rate. This suggests that central nervous system factors may play a important role in the initiation of bruxing. In the past, it was felt that a bad bite or a malocclusion was the cause of bruxism, however, numerous scientific studies have failed to show a relationship.
Teeth Clenching or Grinding
Clenching or grinding of the teeth (bruxism) is a common activity that can occur both during the day and at night.
Q: What causes sleep bruxism?
A: The exact cause of sleep bruxism is not known, however, it has been found to be associated with several factors such as daytime stress, anxiety, obstructive sleep apnea, loud snoring, heavy alcohol use, caffeine, smoking, and certain antidepressant drugs.. Recently, studies have shown that bruxing episodes during sleep are preceded by an increase of brain activity and heart rate. This suggests that central nervous system factors may play a important role in the initiation of bruxing. In the past, it was felt that a bad bite or a malocclusion was the cause of bruxism, however, numerous scientific studies have failed to show a relationship.
Q: How is sleep bruxism diagnosed?
A: The dentist can usually diagnose sleep bruxism by taking a thorough history and performing a clinical examination. A history of jaw discomfort or fatigue upon awakening in the morning along with a finding of excessive tooth wear or enlarged jaw muscles is very suggestive of sleep bruxism. In addition, frequently awakening with a headache in the morning may be due to bruxism. Generalized tooth sensitivity without any other explanation may be a symptom of sleep bruxism. If, in addition to sleep bruxism, a person also has symptoms of a sleep disorder such as a history of interrupted breathing during sleep or excessive daytime sleepiness, a physician specializing in sleep medicine should be consulted.
Q: How is bruxism treated?
A: Daytime bruxism can usually be effectively treated by behavioral modification and habit reversal. This may be as simple as making the person aware of the habit and then placing visual cues around the home and work area to alert the person to check and be sure that their teeth are apart. For difficult cases, psychological counseling may be necessary. For sleep bruxism, a splint or bite guard worn at night is usually a cornerstone of treatment. In addition, medications may be used for short term control of the activity and may include muscle relaxants, tricyclic antidepressants, or antianxiety drugs such as the the benzodiazepines.
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