Tooth Grinding

Tooth Grinding

Bruxism, also known as tooth grinding, is a sleep disorder in which a person frequently clenches or grinds his or her teeth. It can cause excessive wear on tooth surfaces and lead to dental problems. It can also cause jaw pain or even jaw dislocation. It is more common in children than in adults, and frequently ceases when the child's permanent molars appear.

What causes a person to grind his or her teeth isn't known, but dental experts say the behavior in adults is linked to tension, aggression or anxiety. Rarely, people grind their teeth during the day, instead of at night. Adults who have bruxism often also have other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or snoring. They often feel fatigued after a night's sleep or experience headaches in the morning.A dentist diagnoses bruxism by a patient's medical history or by noting abnormal wear on the teeth. A spouse may complain of the grinding noise, often loud enough to be heard across a room.Bruxism can be treated in several ways.

Behavior-modification techniques teach the patient to relax the jaw and practice keeping the teeth apart while the lips are together. A mouth guard can be worn at night to keep the teeth from touching. For a person who grinds his or her teeth during the day, biofeedback can be useful. An electronic device can signal when the jaw is clenched and help change behavior.