Bruxism And The Damage Done

Stress can cause us to grind our teeth together, sometimes with devastating effect

It is probably fair to say that these last few years have been stressful for most of us. Whilst we are used to seeing bad news on the TV, it seems to have increased in recent years with Brexit divisions, Covid-19 and now the tragic war in Ukraine.

It is probably no wonder then that many of us are becoming more anxious than ever. The fact that energy and food costs are also rising rapidly is probably not helping either.

Stress can manifest in many ways and there has been a surge in people seeking mental health help recently. It can also cause us to grind our teeth, usually when we are asleep, and whilst we can’t do much about major political and social issues, The Dental Centre Bedford can, hopefully, offer our patients some advice and help about this particular issue.

Teeth grinding

Bruxism is just another term for when we grind our teeth together. Although this can happen when we are awake, usually in extreme circumstances, it is most likely to happen whilst we sleep. Because of this, we are unaware of it and can’t therefore stop ourselves from doing it without addressing any underlying issues that might be causing it.

Some people find that wearing a preventative mouthguard can help as it stops the teeth from meeting when we do this. Not everyone finds them comfortable enough to wear whilst they sleep though and addressing the issue is the best way in the long term.

What problems does bruxism cause?

Aside from the stress factor that might cause our Bedford patients to struggle to sleep or have less restful sleep than they need, bruxism can be disastrous for our teeth in a number of ways. There are three main issues that can arise when we regularly grind our teeth together.

1 – Enamel erosion

This is perhaps the most common problem that bruxism causes. By grinding our teeth together over a period of time, it is inevitable that we will wear down the protective enamel on our teeth. Strong and healthy enamel is likely to survive for longer than weak and compromised enamel, but it is still vulnerable all the same. Once the enamel has worn down, we are then more susceptible to problems like tooth sensitivity and even tooth decay.

2 – Breakages

Breakages to our teeth can come in a number of forms. The most likely is that our teeth will become chipped or cracked, leading to the inner part of our teeth becoming exposed to bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and even root canal infections. Even where the chips are not so deep, it can cause sharp edges to appear that can cause discomfort and cuts to the soft tissues in our mouth. Finally, our teeth can simply break or shatter. This is most likely when a tooth is already weak or when the grinding is very severe.

3 – TMJ

Grinding our teeth doesn’t just affect our teeth but can also affect the hinge of the jaw too. As we grind from side to side, the hinge and surrounding muscles can become strained and damaged. This can lead to our jaw clicking or grinding as we eat and can be quite painful, sometimes also leading to headaches.

What can be done to stop it?

Unless you wish to try wearing a mouthguard, the only real way is to do what you can to reduce your stress levels. Whilst we can often do little about major events in the world, we can try to manage the way that they affect us mentally. Relaxation exercises, and even meditation can help some people. Even if you think that this is not for you, there are a number of simple things that can really help. Some examples are:

Stop ‘doomscrolling’ – Stay off social media for longer periods of time, or even altogether. The same applies with TV news. By all means stay up to date with what is happening in the world, but you don’t have to constantly watch it.

Get some fresh air – A simple walk can work wonders for our mental health and help us to realise that there are positive things in life too. Ideally, get out in nature, as far away from ‘aggressive’ sounds such as cars and other machinery as you possibly can.

Take a break – A change of environment can be good to get us out of our own little ‘bubbles’. Even a long break in a hot climate isn’t for you, even a weekend away can help. Only use your phone for emergencies and stock up with some good books to read.

How can we help?

Other than discussing the option of a mouthguard, it is essential that you see us for regular check ups and when any problems arise. We may not be able to stop you grinding your teeth but we can ‘manage’ the damage whilst this is happening. Fillings or composite bondings are useful maintenance treatments until such time as you have overcome the problem. At this stage we can offer more long term restorative dental solutions.

For worn enamel, dental veneers can be very useful and will not only offer protection to your teeth but can restore the appearance of teeth that have become chipped or cracked from grinding.

Whilst fillings might still be appropriate for some tooth damage, a crown may offer a better and stronger option where the damage is more significant. Where a tooth has become damaged so badly that it may be necessary to extract it, we can also offer teeth implants as an excellent long term solution.

Whether you currently grind your teeth or have in the past and have suffered damage to your teeth because of it, we are here to help you. To arrange an appointment to see one of our dentists, please call The Dental Centre Bedford on 01234 819868.