05 Oct

Bruxism: when stress bites

Do you wake up in the morning with a headache or jaw pain? Are you under a lot of stress at work or at home? Do you feel your teeth are wearing down? If you have had any of these symptoms, everything suggests you have bruxism. Learn more about this condition and the solutions we offer at Clínica Dental Fernando Soria.

Bruxism and Stress: Effects

Bruxism “is the involuntary habit of clenching or grinding the teeth without any functional purpose.” It is estimated that almost 20% of the population suffers from it, although many of those affected are unaware of their condition.

When stress and anxiety bite

The high levels of stress and anxiety that come with the pace of social and working life have physical consequences: headaches, stomach problems, muscle aches… Stress can clearly be channeled, unconsciously, through the mouth when we clench our teeth (centric bruxism) or grind them (eccentric bruxism). The former mainly affects the muscles; the latter, the teeth and their wear.

Because it is an unconscious act, it may take a while before we realize we have bruxism, but if we pay a little attention we may discover that, during the day or at night, we clench our teeth for no reason or grind them when we are calm. Once we become aware of this problem, or people close to us tell us we do it, the advisable thing is to see a specialist.

Consequences
It has not been proven that bruxism causes tooth loss, but it does speed up the process if there are already other periodontal conditions affecting how firmly the teeth are anchored.

The consequences of bruxism are faster wear or loosening of the teeth. The teeth strike each other abnormally, overloading the tissues that support them.

In addition, bruxism causes high muscle tension that spreads to the jaw and ears, alignment problems (especially when the person with bruxism is a child), a greater tendency to cavities due to enamel wear, gum trauma, muscle contractures in the neck and headaches.

Solutions

Bruxism cannot be eradicated, but its effects can be corrected and relieved when we let a specialist advise and monitor us. “Bruxism is also hard to prevent because it is an unconscious act that is triggered at a given moment and that we cannot see or sense except when the patient comes in for their regular check-ups,” explains Dr. Fernando Soria.

“Once bruxism is detected, the first step is to prescribe the patient a night guard (occlusal splint) to wear every night and then keep the habit under control with regular follow-up,” says Dr. Soria. When bruxism is driven by external factors, it is important for the patient to try other relaxation therapies or see a physical therapist who can help relieve the tension.

• Night guard (occlusal splint): a rigid appliance that fits over the upper teeth and protects them from striking the lower teeth. Because it is hard, the patient normally tends to stop clenching or grinding on meeting a barrier that prevents it. Night guards must be custom-made and monitored by the specialist.
• Can I wear a night guard if I have implants or veneers? It is highly recommended that patients with these treatments wear a night guard to prevent possible porcelain fractures. Sensitivity changes and, in many cases, the patient’s bruxism gets worse.

If you have read this article and recognize yourself in the condition we describe, go ahead and book a no-obligation appointment with our clinical director so he can assess your case personally.