Stop Grinding and get Grinning: it’s National Smile Month

In 2014, a 30 per cent rise in teeth grinding problems was reported in comparison with the position 5 years ago and now, one in four Britons are suffering. Reported figures suggest that the majority of those grinding their teeth are middle-aged women.

Bruxism is an under-diagnosed problem with debilitating effects. It can lead to infection, the wearing down of teeth, fractures, tooth loss, hearing problems and even change the shape of a person’s face. In severe cases bruxism can cause temporomandibular joint dysfunction due to its negative effect on the jaw. As a result, someone who grinds their teeth a lot, particularly when they are asleep, may find that they suffer with headaches and jaw ache when they wake up in the morning.

The tell-tale signs

Bruxism is usually diagnosed by a patient’s dentist if the following factors are identified:
1. The patient describes tooth sensitivity because the enamel has been worn away exposing softer, darker-coloured dentine;
2. The patient’s back teeth appear shorter because they have been grinding excessively;
3. The patient’s upper teeth have become more angled, thin and translucent, putting them at risk of chipping;
4. In general the teeth are flattened, fractured, chipped or loose;
5. The patient has facial muscle pain which is exacerbated by chewing, talking or yawning;
6. The patient experiences clicking from their jaw.

The treatment

Mild bruxism may not require treatment, however, if it is severe enough to wear down a person’s dentition, and contribute to or cause a jaw disorder, then treatment is necessary.
Bruxism is typically treated with a splint or mouth guard to prevent contact between the teeth. In some cases, dental correction may be necessary, but this would need to be assessed by and discussed with a dental practitioner.

In more severe cases, muscle relaxants may be required and some patients even opt for Botox injections when they find they have not responded to more traditional treatments. According to the Bruxism Association, bruxists have even found that hypnosis provides relief from problems related to sleep bruxism.

Prevent it

It is important to raise awareness during National Smile Month as many people do not appreciate the potentially significant consequences of failing to treat bruxism. There are a number of people who are completely unaware that they grind their teeth until their teeth become mobile, and start to break off, leading to the need for expensive restorative treatment.

There are unfortunate patients who may have been able to avoid the breaking of their teeth or their teeth becoming mobile, had they received an earlier diagnosis of bruxism. These patients may later find out that they displayed the signs and their dental practitioner failed to make the diagnosis and recommend treatment. Often, the diagnosis is missed until Temporo Mandibular Joint Dysfunction is diagnosed and by this point, extensive treatment may be necessary.

If you think that you may be a grinder, get dental advice and treatment by searching for a practitioner on the General Dental Council’s register.