What is bruxism?

Bruxism is the rubbing or grinding of the teeth, and it affects a large part of the population. Research shows that bruxism is closely linked to a stressful lifestyle and appears during moments of relaxation, most often at night.

Roughly one person in five grinds their teeth, with women and men affected about equally. If teeth grinding occurs in childhood, the risk of it occurring in adulthood increases. In adults, awake bruxism is more common than sleep bruxism. Sleep bruxism is likely to become less common with age.

What causes bruxism?

The cause of bruxism often cannot be clearly identified. Possible causes include emotional stress, anxiety and sleep disorders (such as insomnia), genetic factors, disturbed release of neurotransmitters in the brain and reflux disease. Excessive use of alcohol, caffeine or drugs can also lead to bruxism, as can smoking. Passive smoking is considered a risk factor for bruxism in children. In addition, some medications, such as antidepressants, can cause bruxism as an unwanted side effect.

What symptoms can occur?

Possible signs of bruxism include:

  • sounds of teeth grinding or jaw clenching during sleep
  • damage to the teeth
  • pain in the jaw joints
  • tiredness or pain in the chewing muscles
  • difficulty opening the mouth on waking, and enlarged, strong chewing muscles
  • pain in the chewing muscles or neck muscles
  • headache on waking, especially around the temples
  • hypersensitive teeth
  • poor sleep quality

Most of the time, people who grind their teeth do not even notice it. However, regular irritation, tension or pain in the morning may indicate bruxism. In some cases a partner is disturbed by the grinding at night and draws the person’s attention to the problem. For a dentist, changes in tooth structure are often the first sign of bruxism. Signs of wear or cracks form in the tooth enamel. The teeth may become sensitive or painful. In some cases individual teeth even become loose. Damaged tooth crowns may also indicate bruxism.

What types of bruxism are there?

Bruxism can occur while you are awake or asleep. The grinding is the same, but awake bruxism and sleep bruxism are considered two separate conditions:

  • Awake bruxism: in this condition you clench your jaw and grind your teeth during the day. It is usually linked to emotional issues. Feelings of anxiety, stress or anger can lead to teeth grinding, and so can concentrating on something. Awake bruxism often needs no treatment, as you are more likely to notice it and stop. Stress management can help, and learning mindfulness techniques can also help reduce how often it happens.
  • Sleep bruxism: in this form you grind your teeth in your sleep, which can cause more damage. You may not get the help you need because you do not know it is happening. Another problem with sleep bruxism is that people do not realise how hard they are clenching their jaws and teeth. Clenching can also lead to headaches.

Treating bruxism

Treatment options for teeth grinding:

  • a dental splint from the dentist
  • mindfulness and relaxation exercises
  • behavioural therapy
  • Botox
  • physiotherapy
  • psychotherapy
  • medication

The complete protocol for treatment in Switzerland includes relieving the muscle spasm and then restoring the correct bite height.

There are also many effective methods of combating bruxism, from a special relaxation splint and relaxation techniques to botulinum toxin injections in the face.

Botox can be used on its own to treat bruxism, or it can be complemented by a relaxation splint (clear aligners). Botox injections effectively relax the jaw muscles and so eliminate the habit of clenching the chewing muscles.

Whom should you see about bruxism?

If you have bruxism or suspect you do, you should see a dentist. If necessary, you will be referred to the appropriate hospital departments for further examination.

You can also obtain a consultation and have treatment in Switzerland arranged with CorSwiss. You can find out more in the Contacts section.

The best clinics in Switzerland offer the most modern methods of treating bruxism. Experienced doctors will expertly and professionally free you from teeth grinding and help you leave this condition behind for good.