Bruxism, commonly known as teeth grinding, affects millions of people across the UK, with nearly one in four individuals experiencing the condition according to various studies. While patients frequently turn to mouthguards for relief, dental sleep specialists warn that treating only the symptoms ignores underlying health risks like obstructive sleep apnoea. According to Dr Aditi Desai, president of the British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine, dentists too often hand out mouthguards without investigating why it is happening.
Why Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Triggers Teeth Grinding
Because obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) involves an obstructed airway, a sufferer might grind their teeth to shift the blockage and restore their breathing. According to Prof Frank Lobbezoo, a leading researcher on the condition, this is a very good example of why bruxism can keep you alive, despite its negatives like tooth damage, sleep disruption, and jaw ache.
The Surprising Biological Benefits of Bruxism
While teeth grinding can also cause chronic pain, researchers emphasize that jaw movements serve essential biological functions. According to Lobbezoo, moving the jaw muscles activates the big salivary glands. It cleans the mouth, it protects the teeth and it’s vital for digestion. Furthermore, some studies also suggest that chewing can help with cognition, with Lobbezoo noting that preliminary research is showing it in humans by stimulating blood flow to the brain through working our jaw muscles.
Did You Know? Bruxism is an umbrella term which groups together four different jaw movements – clenching, grinding, bracing and thrusting. Some people grind at night, others through the day. While certain individuals are scarcely aware they are doing it, others can wear through mouthguards and awaken even those partners who sleep most soundly.
Rising Stress Levels and Young Patients Seeking Treatment
A growing number of young individuals presenting with dental complications stemming from continuous grinding have dentists expressing concern to the BBC. According to Dr Aditi Desai, president of the British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine (BSDSM), it is definitely on the rise, and it’s no surprise given that life itself nowadays can be so stressful. Psychotherapist Rahi Popat explains that trauma and stress can activate a “fight or flight” response, elevating your heart rate, triggering the release of adrenaline, and causing muscles to tighten in readiness for an external danger. Given the close connection between the jaw and the nervous system via the primary cranial nerves, our muscles get stimulated, leading us to clenching and grinding our teeth at night as a mechanism for the body to discharge daily accumulated stress and tension.
Pro Tips: Common Signs of Bruxism
- Worn, chipped or flattened teeth
- Headaches or facial pain in the morning
- Disrupted sleep and daytime tiredness
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Earache or pain near the temples without infection
Modern Medical Treatments Beyond Mouthguards
For patients suffering from debilitating facial pain and damaged molars, Ella, a 31-year-old in the UK, experienced excruciating jaw ache, headaches, and being told her molars were disappearing before seeking intervention. Opting for private healthcare, she arranged for her dentist to administer Botox injections directly into the masseter muscles responsible for jaw movement. According to patient accounts, the procedure relaxed them and reduced the tension in her face, and should last 3 to 4 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary symptoms of bruxism?
Common signs to look out for include worn, chipped or flattened teeth, headaches or facial pain in the morning, disrupted sleep and daytime tiredness, increased tooth sensitivity, and earache or pain near the temples without infection.
Can teeth grinding be a sign of a deeper medical issue?
Yes. According to dental sleep specialists, it’s vital that serious, underlying conditions like obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) are considered, where a patient may grind their teeth to move a blocked airway.
Does stress cause teeth grinding?
According to mental health professionals, trauma and stress can put you in “fight or flight” mode, triggering our muscles through the major cranial nerves so we clench and grind our teeth as a way of releasing stress and tension.
Are mouthguards the only treatment available?
While you can treat the symptoms – by wearing a mouthguard, for example – other approaches include paying a dentist to inject Botox into the masseter muscles to relax them and reduce tension.
Have you or someone you know experienced the physical toll of teeth grinding? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below, and subscribe to our newsletter for more health insights.
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