Tooth Grinding Connected To Anxiety And Sleep Disorders

The medical term for tooth grinding or jaw clenching is Bruxism. It is a dental condition in which a person rubs their teeth unconsciously, also called clenching or grinding. It is a common problem, especially in children, and it can happen during the daytime or at night.

A study says that tooth grinding and jaw clenching during sleep affect around 8% to 10% of adults and 15%—40% of children, with a higher prevalence in children that decreases over time with age.

Types Of Tooth Grinding (Bruxism)

Sleep Bruxism

Grinding or clenching your teeth while in sleep can cause more serious harm to your teeth than Bruxism in the daytime or walking hours because you do not realize that it’s happening.

People with sleep bruxism often need dental treatments to help manage the effects of grinding because in sleep you do it unconsciously and can’t control your teeths from grinding or clenching.

Awake Bruxism

Tooth grinding can also occur during the day when a person is under extreme stress, which is called waking Bruxism or diurnal Bruxism. Those affected with anxiety unconsciously clench their teeth.

Feeling angry, stressed, or anxious can make you clench your teeth. You might also notice your jaw clenching hard when you are focusing or concentrating on something. You can control the grinding and clenching of your teeth when you are awake to prevent any tooth damage and jaw pain.

What Causes Tooth Grinding?

There are several causes of Tooth Grinding that are as follows –

• Stress and anxiety

Feeling fearful, stressed, or overwhelmed can lead to Bruxism, but if you are suffering from anxiety or depression or have a major depressive disorder (MDD) or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), then you are more prone to having Bruxism.

• Sleep disorders

Studies have shown that sleep apnea is a contributing factor to sleep bruxism, and those who are suffering from sleep apnea mostly experience grinding and clenching of teeth during sleep.

While the exact cause of tooth grinding is still not fully understood, it is said that the body’s attempt to open an airway during sleep apnea often leads to teeth clenching and jaw grinding during sleep.

• Lifestyle factors

Certain lifestyle habits related to stress, and those who smoke, drink alcohol, and consume enough caffeine on a daily basis (more than six cups a day) are likely to have Bruxism during sleep.

Signs You Might Be Grinding Your Teeth

Tooth clenching and grinding are common involuntary reactions to anger, stress, or fear. Tooth grinding usually happens at night when you are asleep. People who grind their teeth at night do not notice their jaw activity, but the person sleeping next to them does.

The person affected by tooth grinding does not have any clue that they are affected by tooth grinding, but the person sleeping next to them woken up by the tooth grinding noises knows that they are grinding their teeth while sleeping.

• Jaw Pain Or Soreness

If you experience persistent discomfort, stiffness, or soreness in the jaw, especially in the morning, then it may be a sign of Bruxism.

• Worn-down, Chipped, Or Sensitive Teeth

Your teeth may become sensitive to hot and cold drinks, and you can experience the wearing down of your teeth, leading to flattened or chipped surfaces that can even lead to tooth loss.

• Headaches In The Morning

Tooth grinding during the night can lead to tension in the jaw, neck, and head muscles, leading to headaches in the morning that can trigger migraine accompanied by nausea.

The Connection Between Tooth Grinding, Anxiety & Sleep

Stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders are one of the main causes of tooth grinding, which is called sleep Bruxism in medical terms.

• How Stress And Anxiety Lead To Unconscious Clenching

Stress and anxiety can lead to unconscious jaw clenching because, in stress, a person’s body releases certain hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that cause muscle tension, including the jaw, as a psychological response.

• Sleep Bruxism As A Response To Disturbed Or Poor-Quality Sleep

Sleep bruxism is also a result of disturbed or poor-quality sleep caused by a busy lifestyle or due to having a sleep disorder such as (insomnia or sleep apnea) that causes difficulty in sleeping.

• Vicious Cycle: Anxiety → Grinding → Pain → Sleep Loss

Stress is a major trigger for bruxism, as the body’s response can lead to muscle activity. The act of grinding at night can disrupt sleep, leading to fatigue and stress.

Bruxism can be considered a vicious cycle, as stress and anxiety can trigger bruxism, which in turn can worsen stress, affecting sleep, leading to a cycle of discomfort and sleep Bruxism.

• Research-Backed Connection Between Mental Health And Oral Habits

Oral and mental health are linked with each other. People with severe mental health conditions are more prone to having poor oral hygiene and tooth loss due to impaired well-being and side effects of Psychiatric treatment.

Oral problems can also be caused by changes in lifestyle due to mental health disorders such as inadequate diet, more carbohydrate consumption, and substance use.

Why It Matters: Risks of Untreated Bruxism

Untreated Bruxism can lead to various health problems that are listed below –

• Damage To Teeth (Cracks, Flattening, Enamel Loss)

Persistent tooth grinding can chip, crack or even fracture your tooth and it also wears down the protective covering of your tooth enamel making it more susceptible to decay, and infection leading to tooth loss.

• TMJ Disorders (Jaw Joint Issues)

Teeth grinding causes excessive stress on the temporomandibular joints that is the connecting point of the jaw to the skull leading to TMJ disorder characterised by jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, headache, and difficulty in opening the mouth fully.

• Sleep Disturbance And Fatigue

Severe headaches, migraine, and pain in the jaws can lead to disturbed sleep, causing nausea and fatigue that can worsen your oral and mental health conditions.

How We Can Help at Dacula Dental Associates LLC

At Dacula Dental, we use cutting-edge dental technology to help create trust and confidence for the best service before and after the treatment.

• Custom Night Guards To Protect Teeth

These guards are of higher quality that are custom made for your teeth by taking the impressions of your teeth. This appliance protects your teeth from grinding and clenching. You can wear these guards during sleep to reduce the effects of TMJ disorders.

• Bite Analysis And Adjustments If Needed

Your dentist or a dental professional will take the impressions of your teeth in a mold to make a guard that perfectly fits your teeth. After that, your dentist will perform a bite analysis and make an adjustment if needed.

• Personalized Care Plan Based On Your Symptoms

Your dentist will understand your situation and recommend certain lifestyle changes and stress management techniques to help manage your stress and symptoms of bruxism, as well as some dental appliances like mouthguards to protect your teeth and reduces jaw pain.

Tips for Managing Tooth Grinding at Home

• Practice Meditation, Exercise Or Journaling

Focus and include stress reduction techniques in your daily routine like yoga, meditations, and practice deep breathing, and mindfulness to relax your mind from stress and anxiety.

• Have a Full Night Sleep

Improve your sleep hygiene by maintaining your sleeping schedule and having a full night sleep of about 7 – 8 hours everyday in a calm and a peaceful environment.

• Avoid Having Caffeine Before Bed

Having caffeine just before bed can cause sleeplessness and difficulty in sleep initiation as it is a stimulant that blocks the adenosine receptors of the brain that promote sleep.

Schedule an appointment today for a confident, brighter, and long-lasting perfect smile.