Teeth grinding or clenching: Learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatment methods.
Teeth grinding or clenching, whether during sleep or while awake, is an unconscious habit that a person may not notice themselves, but it carries serious health consequences if it continues for long periods .
Experts indicate that this problem is more common than we imagine, as one in six people suffer from it during sleep, and one in four during the day, according to a report published by the science website ” Science Alert “.
Although some cases are mild and not cause for concern, repetition or severity may lead to complications in the teeth, jaw joint, and facial muscles, in addition to sleep disturbances, headaches, or ear pain, not to mention the erosion or cracking of teeth over time.
Questions to assess your situation
Ask yourself if you feel the following at least once a week:
- Pain in your temple, face, jaw, or near your ear?
- Pain when opening your mouth or chewing?
- Jaw closing, or hearing a clicking sound?
If the answer is “yes,” you may be suffering from teeth grinding.
Causes of teeth grinding and clenching
The reasons are varied, including physical, psychological, and lifestyle factors, such as:
- Stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Taking medication to treat schizophrenia, psychosis, or depression.
- Excessive caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol.
- Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or sudden noises during the night.
Sleep apnea prevents the body from getting enough oxygen, which increases stress hormones and triggers muscle spasms that may lead to increased grinding or clenching of the teeth.
Diagnosis of teeth grinding
The condition cannot be diagnosed simply by looking at the teeth. The dentist will do the following:
- Review of medical history and medications.
- Ask the patient about jaw pain, headaches, difficulty chewing, and any noises when opening or closing the jaw.
- Examine the teeth for cracks, erosion, or damaged fillings.
- Note other signs such as white lines inside the cheeks or hollows around the tongue, receding gums, loose teeth, or teeth moving.
These signs may also be related to other conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease.
How to treat and control teeth grinding
Squeaking can be controlled in several ways:
1. Lifestyle modification
- Reduce stress and anxiety.
- Limit caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine.
- Improving sleep quality.
2. Medical examinations
- Review of medications and underlying health problems such as acid reflux or sleep apnea.
- Perform a sleep study when needed.
