Teeth grinding (Bruxism)

Teeth grinding (so-called bruxism) is the involuntary clenching and optionally additional back and forth movement (“grinding”) of the rows of teeth on each other.

The symptoms usually occur during sleep, in rarer cases (also) during the day. Men and women are equally affected and also children can suffer from bruxism. However, in the growth process of younger children, this is a condition that can occur from time to time and is not a cause for concern. However, if the child is over six years old, the cause should be clarified so that excessive tooth abrasion can be counteracted in good time if necessary.

Grinding teeth is not only uncomfortable, it can cause damage to teeth, gums and the entire jaw. Under normal circumstances, our teeth only come together rarely and briefly. Even when chewing, they usually only touch each other for seconds or less. However, those affected by bruxism press their teeth together much longer and harder and grind their teeth against each other, often for several minutes.

Since the causes of bruxism can also occur or be aggravated as a result of grinding teeth, affected people often end up in a vicious circle that needs to be broken.

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Teeth grinding (Bruxism)

Teeth grinding (so-called bruxism) is the involuntary clenching and optionally additional back and forth movement (“grinding”) of the rows of teeth on each other.

The symptoms usually occur during sleep, in rarer cases (also) during the day. Men and women are equally affected and also children can suffer from bruxism. However, in the growth process of younger children, this is a condition that can occur from time to time and is not a cause for concern. However, if the child is over six years old, the cause should be clarified so that excessive tooth abrasion can be counteracted in good time if necessary.

Grinding teeth is not only uncomfortable, it can cause damage to teeth, gums and the entire jaw. Under normal circumstances, our teeth only come together rarely and briefly. Even when chewing, they usually only touch each other for seconds or less. However, those affected by bruxism press their teeth together much longer and harder and grind their teeth against each other, often for several minutes.

Since the causes of bruxism can also occur or be aggravated as a result of grinding teeth, affected people often end up in a vicious circle that needs to be broken.

Read less

Forms and causes of bruxism

There are different forms of teeth grinding, which your dentists in Zug can diagnose based on the patient’s symptoms and complaints. Teeth grinding has various causes and is usually multifactorial.

Bruxism can occur both during the day as awake bruxism and at night while sleeping as sleep bruxism. Medically, grinding teeth during the day is more likely to be associated with impulses from the central nervous system (e.g. with strong concentration). Grinding teeth while sleeping is usually due to psychological factors.

A distinction is made between primary and secondary bruxism:

When teeth grinding without an apparent medical cause occurs in an otherwise healthy person, this is referred to as primary bruxism.
Secondary bruxism can indicate a disease and occurs when certain causes can be identified as triggers for teeth grinding. For example, this may be the case if the patient suffers from a neurological disorder.
If teeth grinding has psychological causes, it is often due to stress, nervousness or anxiety. The ballast built up in everyday life is then released at night through the unconscious grinding of teeth. Other causes can include sleep disorders or alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, as well as certain medications or drugs.

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Diagnostics of teeth grinding

Some of the consequences of bruxism mentioned can apparently also be symptoms of teeth grinding. To make the diagnosis, the dentist takes a detailed history of the patient and determines the signs of wear on the teeth based on clinical signs. The partner or other family members often notice the crunching noises even if the affected person doesn’t notice anything yet. In addition, teeth grinding often occurs without any accompanying noises at night, so the dentist can only make the diagnosis when the teeth are visually worn.

Often, only your dentist-team‘s logical combination of all the factors ultimately leads to the correct diagnosis.

Symptoms and consequences of teeth grinding

When the rows of teeth are pressed together involuntarily, which is typical of bruxism, extremely high pressure is exerted on teeth and jaw joints, which is up to ten times greater than the usual chewing pressure. As a result, teeth and jaws are put under extreme strain by grinding.

Over time, the tooth enamel is excessively worn down and even the tooth bone (the so-called dentin) with the nerve pathways can be exposed. This leads to significant long-term damage, which can range from abrasion to fracture to the loss of teeth. In addition to aching teeth, grinding also regularly causes injuries to the gums, tongue or lips.

However, the complaints can also go far beyond the chewing system and lead to further problems. affect other areas of the body. These include, for example:

Exhaustion and tiredness
Facial pain
Head, neck and back pain
Muscle tension
Sleep disorders
Tinnitus

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Bruxism therapy at the dentist

The treatment of bruxism depends on the individual diagnosis, i.e. the form and causes of the teeth grinding. Once the diagnosis has been made, using a dental splint to combat grinding is a simple but very effective aid. These splints are also called crunch splints, bite splints, Michigan splints and so on. They are usually used in the upper jaw, but are generally also possible in the lower jaw. On one hand, the grinding splint eliminates direct contact between the teeth of the upper and lower jaw, which protects the teeth from further excessive wear. On the other hand, the splint relieves the strain on the jaw joints and relaxes the chewing muscles, which ultimately also relieves tension in the muscles in the rest of the musculoskeletal system and relieves pain in the head, neck or back area.

In individual cases, especially if the patient’s symptoms do not improve with splint therapy over a long period of time, drug treatment may also be an option. The goal here is ultimately to relax the muscles and thereby reduce pain for the patient as well.

The Michigan splint as protection against loss of teeth substance

Pressing and grinding causes excessive wear on the teeth. This can be counteracted with the help of a bite splint and the so-called Michigan splint as a means of treating bruxism has established itself as the therapeutic gold standard. Furthermore, the grinding splint also restores the correct guidance of the healthy teeth through the canines and eliminates any interference.

The bite guard is made of clear, solid plastic material. To produce such a bite splint, first an impression, resp. scan of the upper and lower jaw is taken and the patient’s bite imaged in the dental practice. The dental technician then manufactures the individual Michigan splint for the patient. What is essential is a precise and tension-free fit and a smooth surface of the splint so that the crunch guard is not perceived as disturbing and can work accordingly. Depending on the symptoms and development, the patient only has to wear the splint at night or, if necessary, also for several hours a day. Your dentist-team will give you recommendations and will also continually check the course of the therapy.

Read less

The Michigan splint as protection against loss of teeth substance

Pressing and grinding causes excessive wear on the teeth. This can be counteracted with the help of a bite splint and the so-called Michigan splint as a means of treating bruxism has established itself as the therapeutic gold standard.

Furthermore, the grinding splint also restores the correct guidance of the healthy teeth through the canines and eliminates any interference.

The bite guard is made of clear, solid plastic material. To produce such a bite splint, first an impression, resp. scan of the upper and lower jaw is taken and the patient’s bite imaged in the dental practice. The dental technician then manufactures the individual Michigan splint for the patient. What is essential is a precise and tension-free fit and a smooth surface of the splint so that the crunch guard is not perceived as disturbing and can work accordingly. Depending on the symptoms and development, the patient only has to wear the splint at night or, if necessary, also for several hours a day. Your dentist-team will give you recommendations and will also continually check the course of the therapy.

Read less

Other treatment options

Relaxation and loosening exercises can also provide relief. They help to relax tense jaw muscles and reduce stress. On one hand, we work with various specialized physiotherapists in the Zug region, and on the other hand, you can also carry out certain exercises yourself at home.

There are also numerous other measures that can relieve tension and thereby increase the patient’s well-being:

Acupuncture, or -pressure
Gymnastics for facial and chewing muscles
Massage
Heat treatments
Yoga

Good prognosis if treated early

If bruxism is treated promptly, the prognosis is good and more serious subsequent damage to the teeth and jaw can be avoided. Contact your dentists in Zug in good time and protect your teeth. We would be happy to advise you on the various therapy options.

For a bright & healthy smile!

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Teeth grinding (Bruxism)

Teeth grinding (Bruxism)

Forms and causes of bruxism

Diagnostics of teeth grinding

Symptoms and consequences of teeth grinding

Bruxism therapy at the dentist

The Michigan splint as protection against loss of teeth substance

The Michigan splint as protection against loss of teeth substance

Other treatment options

Good prognosis if treated early

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Treatments

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