Bruxism, often referred to as teeth grinding in everyday life, is a disorder that affects many people and can lead to serious damage to the teeth and other health complications. This article takes a comprehensive look at bruxism, in particular its consequences and how the use of grinding splints can provide relief.
What is bruxism?
Bruxism refers to the unconscious grinding or clenching of teeth. This behavior can have various negative effects on oral health, including tooth wear, damage to the gums and jaw joints as well as headaches and jaw pain.
There are two types of bruxism:
Sleep bruxism
This occurs during sleep and is often classified as a sleep disorder. People with sleep bruxism are usually unaware of their teeth grinding unless it is noticed by someone else or causes noticeable discomfort.
Awake bruxism
In this case, those affected grind or clench their teeth while they are awake. This can be triggered by stress, anxiety or concentration on certain tasks.
Causes of bruxism
The exact causes of bruxism are not yet fully understood, but it is known that bruxism can be triggered by a variety of factors, both psychological and physical. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Stress and anxiety
- Sleep disorders
- Misalignment of the jaw or teeth
- Lifestyle factors
- Side effects of medication
- Genetic factors
- Neurological disorders
Symptoms of bruxism
Bruxism is a common disorder that affects both children and adults. It can lead to a range of physical problems and discomfort that are often not taken seriously until significant symptoms appear. It is important to recognize the symptoms early to avoid long-term damage and further complications.
Here are some of the most common symptoms and accompanying symptoms of bruxism that sufferers may experience:
- Tooth damage
- Cracking in the joint
- Jaw pain and stiffness
- Headaches
- Earache
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Facial pain and fatigue of the jaw muscles
- Sleep disorders
- Indentations in the tongue and cheek
- Concentration problems and daytime tiredness
Connection between TMD and bruxism
Bruxism, the unconscious grinding and clenching of teeth, can put considerable strain on the jaw muscles and joints and ultimately lead to craniomandibular dysfunction (TMD). This prolonged overload disrupts the function of the temporomandibular joint, which can include symptoms such as pain, joint noises when chewing and restricted jaw movement. The tension induced by bruxism can also cause misalignment of the teeth and inflammation in the temporomandibular joint, which exacerbates TMD symptoms. Early detection of bruxism is crucial to avoid the risk and severity of TMD.How bruxism is diagnosed
Diagnosing bruxism can be a challenge as many sufferers are unaware of their teeth grinding. Typically, the diagnosis is made through a combination of medical history, clinical examination and, if necessary, further investigations.
First, the dentist or doctor conducts a detailed interview to find out more about the quality of sleep, stress factors, habits and possible symptoms such as headaches or jaw pain, which may indicate bruxism.
Doctors refer to teeth grinding as a parafunction, as the activity of the chewing apparatus triggered by it serves no real purpose. Nevertheless, the grinder presses or presses the teeth together with great pressure, which leads to overloading and consequently pain.
During the clinical examination, the dentist pays particular attention to signs of tooth wear, such as flattened, broken or heavily abraded teeth, which are typical of bruxism. The condition of the gums and the entire oral cavity is also checked. The temporomandibular joints and the muscles of the face and neck are examined for signs of tension, pain or dysfunction, which may also indicate bruxism.
A sleep partner can often confirm whether teeth grinding sounds occur during sleep, which is a clear indicator of nocturnal bruxism. In more complex or severe cases, a referral to a sleep laboratory may also be appropriate, where a comprehensive examination using polysomnography is carried out. This can help to confirm bruxism and at the same time identify accompanying sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.
In rare cases, specialized imaging techniques such as X-rays, MRI or CT can be used to assess the temporomandibular joints and adjacent structures in detail. Early detection and treatment of bruxism is crucial to avoid serious complications and significantly improve the quality of life of those affected. This often requires close collaboration between patients, dentists and, if necessary, other specialists.
Bruxism among children
Bruxism can also occur among children and is often considered a normal part of their development. It is particularly common in toddlers and younger children, usually during sleep.While bruxism is often not considered a serious problem until dental damage or other health problems occur, parents should still be aware of signs such as
- audible teeth grinding at night,
- Worn or damaged teeth,
- jaw pain,
- headaches,
- increased tooth sensitivity,
- and disturbed sleep.
Quick help for bruxism
Treatment options usually include the use of splints or mouth guards worn at night to protect the teeth and minimize pressure on the jaw. In addition, relaxation techniques, stress management strategies and, if necessary, lifestyle adjustments can help reduce the frequency and intensity of teeth grinding.The RehaSplint
The RehaSplint is a temporary occlusal splint. It helps to relieve muscular tension that leads to CMD complaints such as teeth grinding, tinnitus and jaw pain before abrasion. By ensuring an even distribution of chewing pressure and adapted protective postures, it alleviates discomfort from the very first day. The splint consists of elastic bite pads with small indentations for better retention and is used without adjustment. The RehaSplint can be worn both during the day and at night and is available in three degrees of hardness (soft, medium, hard). It offers immediate relaxation of the masticatory muscles and effective initial treatment for TMD.The RehaBite
The Aqualizer
The Aqualizer is a water-filled splint that evenly distributes the pressure in the jaw and thus provides relief from bruxism.
- It reduces jaw pain
- Protects teeth from wear and tear
- Promotes a natural jaw position
This normalizes muscle activity and alleviates the symptoms of bruxism.
At a glance
Bruxism is one of the most common symptoms of TMD and refers specifically to the unconscious grinding and clenching of teeth, which usually occurs during sleep. TMD (craniomandibular dysfunction) refers to malfunctions in the masticatory system that affect the teeth, jaw joints, masticatory muscles and the neurophysiological control of the masticatory system. This dysfunction between the skull (cranium), lower jaw (mandible) and their dysfunction can have a significant impact on general health.
Typical signs are worn teeth, increased tooth sensitivity, receding gums, tension in the back and shoulder area, jaw pain on waking, and headaches or earaches with no apparent cause.
Signs include worn or damaged teeth, jaw pain, headaches, facial muscle pain and unexplained ear pain.
Awake bruxism occurs during the day, often in response to stress or concentration, and usually involves teeth clenching. Sleep bruxism occurs unconsciously during sleep and involves both teeth clenching and grinding.
The causes can be many and varied, including stress, processing emotional problems during sleep, anxiety, sleep disorders, abnormal bite patterns, orthopaedic problems with the temporomandibular joints, poorly fitting dentures and certain medications. A trained medical professional with interdisciplinary knowledge will be able to distinguish the signs of TMD from other conditions and make appropriate recommendations or referrals. Specialists in functional diagnostics in dentistry can determine the likelihood of TMD based on various factors and initiate appropriate treatment measures.
Treatment options include wearing splints such as the RehaSplint, which balances jaw pressure, or the RehaBite, which trains and relaxes the masticatory muscles. Other approaches include stress management, adjusting sleeping habits and physiotherapy.
It is estimated that up to 30% of the population suffer from bruxism, with the prevalence varying depending on age and other factors. Women are often affected more frequently.
Bruxism is often treatable, but not always completely curable, especially if it is caused by chronic stress or structural problems of the jaw.
Dentists are usually the first point of contact for the diagnosis and treatment of bruxism. Depending on the cause, specialists such as neurologists or psychiatrists may also be consulted.
The most common complaints include jaw pain, headaches, tooth wear, increased tooth sensitivity and facial muscle pain.
Certain psychotropic drugs, especially antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, can have bruxism as a side effect.
In Germany the coverage of treatment costs for bruxism by health insurance depends on the type of treatment and the specific guidelines of the health insurance company. As a rule, standard treatments such as dental splints are not fully covered by statutory health insurance, and patients may have to bear part of the costs themselves.