What is Bruxism?
Bruxism refers to the act of clenching, grinding, or gnashing your teeth, often occurring unconsciously, whether you are awake or asleep. This poses significant challenges to dental health, leading to issues like tooth wear and jaw pain. The causes of bruxism can vary, often resulting from stress, sleep disorders, dental misalignments, and lifestyle factors like caffeine and alcohol consumption. Additionally, genetics and age play a role in its development.1
Recently, clear aligners have gained popularity as a discreet orthodontic treatment. They are custom-made, removable, plastic trays that are worn on your teeth to gradually move them in desired positions. While their primary purpose is to straighten teeth, there is increasing interest in how they may also affect bruxism.1
In this blog, we will explore the relationship between clear aligners and bruxism, examining whether clear aligner therapy can help to alleviate symptoms commonly associated with bruxism.
Problems associated with bruxism
While it is common for individuals to grind their teeth occasionally, particularly during stressful periods, frequent grinding can place excessive pressure on your teeth and jaws resulting in a variety of problems that include:1,2
- Dental Damage: Excessive grinding can wear down tooth enamel, leading to increased sensitivity, fractures, and even tooth loss.
- Jaw Pain and Disorders: It can cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, resulting in jaw pain (especially in the morning), difficulty chewing, and clicking or popping sounds when moving the jaw.
- Headaches: Tension and muscle strain from grinding can lead to tension headaches or migraines.
- Facial Pain: The muscles used for chewing may become sore or fatigued, leading to discomfort in the face.
- Sleep Disturbances: Bruxism often occurs during sleep, leading to disrupted sleep patterns and daytime fatigue.
- Changes in Bite: Prolonged bruxism can alter the alignment of teeth and bite, potentially leading to further dental issues.
- Emotional and Psychological Effects: The stress and discomfort associated with bruxism can contribute to anxiety and decreased quality of life.
If you suspect you have bruxism, consult with an orthodontist to find the best management strategy for you and prevent further complications.1,2
Solutions for bruxism
Managing bruxism often involves a combination of stress reduction techniques and dental interventions to address underlying causes. If you experience mild bruxism or grind your teeth occasionally, you likely don’t need formal treatment. However, for more severe cases, healthcare providers may suggest the following options:1,3
- Mouthguards: A dentist can create a custom mouthguard to protect your teeth and help position your jaw to alleviate TMJ muscle strain.
- Medications: Taking a muscle relaxant before bed can help reduce or prevent teeth grinding, though healthcare providers typically recommend this only for short-term use.
- Correcting bite issues: Addressing any dental misalignments can help to reduce the muscle strain and discomfort, thereby minimising grinding or clenching during sleep.
- Jaw Exercises: Engaging in specific exercises (such as side to side movements of jaw and jaw stretching exercises) may help strengthen jaw muscles and relieve tension, potentially reducing grinding episodes.
- Stress Reduction Techniques: Managing stress can help alleviate bruxism symptoms. This can involve various therapies such as meditation and cognitive behavioural therapy.
- Lifestyle Changes: If your teeth grinding is linked to caffeine or alcohol consumption, cutting back may be beneficial. Additionally, quitting smoking can help reduce bruxism and improve sleep quality.
Addressing bruxism requires a multifaceted approach tailored to the individual’s specific needs and circumstances. By incorporating lifestyle modifications, stress reduction techniques, and appropriate dental treatments, individuals can significantly mitigate the impact of this condition on their daily lives.
Can clear aligners help?
Although clear aligners are not specifically designed to address bruxism, they can effectively help prevent teeth grinding. Clear aligners can assist in mitigating teeth grinding in several ways:2,4
- They promote proper tooth alignment, which can lessen the tendency to grind or clench. When teeth are aligned correctly, the jaw can close more naturally, alleviating stress on both the teeth and jaw muscles.
- Secondly, aligners can be customised to correct your bite, which may help reduce the pressure on teeth caused by grinding. Proper alignment can help to reduce the stress on the jaw and help reduce grinding habits.
- Finally, clear aligners serve as a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing them from grinding against one another. This protective function helps safeguard the teeth from excessive wear and can diminish the symptoms associated with bruxism.
Though the aligners cost in India is slightly on the higher side, aligner therapy can be a useful solution for managing bruxism, especially when misalignment of teeth contributes to the problem.
In certain cases, the preferred treatment option for managing bruxism may be the use of a mouthguard, which is usually worn in the night. Like aligners, these guards create a protective shield between the upper and lower teeth, helping to prevent wear and tear of your teeth, alleviate jaw discomfort, and reduce the risk of any further dental issues.
At makeO Toothsi, you get the best in quality clear aligners and mouth guards that are made of durable plastic and are discreet and easy to wear, allowing for a peaceful night’s sleep without the concerns of teeth clenching. Their professional team also assists with the fitting process, ensuring each aligner or guard is customised to meet individual needs for maximum protection and comfort.2,5
Conclusion
Bruxism can lead to various dental issues, including wear of teeth and jaw discomfort. Aligners can be an effective tool in managing bruxism, as they correct the misalignment of teeth and may help reduce grinding episodes. Using clear aligners or other treatments, such as mouth guards offer discreet and effective treatment options for bruxism. If you’re experiencing bruxism, consulting with an orthodontist can help tailor a comprehensive plan to address your specific needs.