your Physical Health As seen in Womens Health Style, Volume 3 Issue 2 1999

What's That Noise?

Tooth grinding can cause misery for everyone concerned

Have you ever tried to sleep in the same room with a spouse, sibling or friend who grinds his or her teeth? If your answer is yes, you likely experienced a sleepless, frustrating night while the grinder slept soundly.

If you woke up the tooth grinder and shared your woe, the sound sleeper would tell you it was unintentional. And that would be true. Most often people who grind their teeth do it unconsciously. And most do it at night.

Tooth grinding - known as bruxing - is a fairly common occurrence. Bruxing is the "subconscious, non-functioning grinding or gnashing of the teeth" and is a habit triggered by stress. Given the stressful society we live in, we should not be surprised that a fair amount of us might have this problem.

In a way, tooth grinding is much like a nervous tic, which also is a habit caused by stress that occurs unconsciously. The victim does not realize what is happening until a close friend reveals the tic. Likewise, the grinder does not know what's happening at night until told.

Although the experience of trying to sleep next to someone who grinds his teeth might not put you in the mood for sympathy, the sleepless, frustrating nights experienced by the "innocent party" is only one side of the pillow. The other side, and far more serious, is the very real damage done to the grinder.

Teeth grinding can do major damage inside the victim's mouth. Bruxing will wear down teeth, cause tooth sensitivity, loosen teeth, and cause problems to the temporomandibular joint.

Those who grind their teeth at night most certainly should talk to their dentist. The dentist will conduct a thorough examination, looking at some of the causes and at some of the damage already done. After sharing the results with the patient, the dentist will then develop a treatment plan.

A treatment plan for bruxing will seek eventually to resolve the problem, but in the meantime, will include steps to treat the symptoms.

Since bruxism results from stress-induced muscle hyperactivity, the key to treatment, of course, is relaxation. The tooth grinder needs to be introduced to relaxation tips that can be followed to reduce stress. The continued existence of high-level stress will compound the problem and lengthen treatment.

The dentist will most likely provide the grinder with a muscle relaxation appliance, such as an occlusal guard or stint. This device is made of plastic material and looks much like an athlete's mouth guard, only smaller. The occlusal guard, which reduces the pressure on the natural teeth, is worn while the grinder is sleeping and during times of stress.

The appliance must be fitted to the patient's mouth. Dentists will make an effort to minimize the guard's interfering with speech and to enhance aesthetics by making it less visible. The guard can be usually placed into the patient's mouth at the same appointment when the impression was made.

The treatment plan, of course, will also include repair of the damage done by bruxing. But it would be silly to make repairs and treat symptoms without also seeking a final solution to the stress that produced the grinding. Otherwise, the person must wear the guard continually.

With a successful, comprehensive treatment plan, however, the guard can be put away in the closet next to the heating pad - and the grinder's spouse, sibling or friend will finally enjoy a restful, sound sleep as well.

Since bruxism results from stress-induced muscle hyperactivity, the key to treatment, of course, is relaxation. The tooth grinder needs to be introduced to relaxation tips that can be followed to reduce stress. The continued existence of high-level stress will compound the problem and lengthen treatment.

Dr. Timothy Kosinski has a practice in comprehensive dentistry in Jamestowne Executive Offices, 31000 Telegraph, Suite 170, Bingham Farms, Michigan. Information also can be found on his Web site at http://www.smilcreator.net.