Teeth grinding is the gnashing or grinding of the teeth when not chewing or swallowing, as the teeth naturally touch then. Although it may occur both day and night, such grinding normally occurs during sleep. It is also referred to as sleep bruxism, or SB.

 

Teeth grinding has many consequences:

 

• premature wear of teeth
• broken fillings, crowns and prostheses
• headaches
• orofacial and jaw joint (temporomandibular joint) pain upon waking
• disruption of family sleep by the strident noise induced by tooth grinding

 

The exact causes of SB are not known. However, daytime anxiety and stress could be triggers. During sleep, fast breathing and heart activity associated with systems that maintain regular sleep may also trigger SB.

 

The diagnosis of teeth grinding is based on:

 

• a history of hearing tooth grinding by another person
• the presence of tooth wear/damage
• increased jaw muscle size
• orofacial pain and/or headaches upon awakening

 

Some cases require an evaluation by a sleep specialist if there is severe pain, teeth chattering or difficulty breathing at night.

Treatment

SB can be treated through relaxation therapy, physiotherapy and wearing an oral splint to prevent tooth damage. An oral splint is a custom-made acrylic device made from a tooth imprint, covering the chewing surface of the teeth. It is worn during the day or at night and prevents contact between the upper and lower teeth.

Teeth grinding in figures

• SB is reported by 8% of the adult population and close to 14% of children have been reported to grind their teeth a few times per week.
• SB declines with age. In teenagers the prevalence is 12%, declining to 3% in people age 60 or over.