Bruxism (2024)

FAQs

Does bruxism ever go away? ›

Most children eventually outgrow bruxism and suffer no permanent damage to their teeth. Of all children who brux between the ages of 3 and 10, more than half will stop on their own by age 13. In teenagers and adults, how long bruxism lasts depends on its cause.

Many people grind their teeth every now and then, especially during stressful times. But if you do it a lot, it can put extra strain on your teeth and jaws, leading to dental damage, headaches, jaw pain and other issues. Anyone can develop bruxism, but it's most common during childhood, adolescence and young adulthood.

Many people get confused between bruxism and TMJ disorder. They can be associated and interrelated but they are two very different things. Bruxism, also known as teeth grinding, is a condition which occurs as a result of an individual grinding or clenching their teeth.

During routine dental examinations and cleanings, dentists can detect oral symptoms of stress, including orofacial pain, bruxism, temporomandibular disorders (TMJ), mouth sores and gum disease. If you're feeling tense or anxious, you should keep a watchful eye for signs of the following stress-related disorders.

By around age 6, most little ones will stop grinding their teeth on their own. Awake bruxism, even in children who are school-aged or older, might not warrant any treatment or cause any issues, though it can be a sign that your child is stressed or anxious.

Conclusions. Sleep bruxism was associated with vitamin D deficiency and low consumption of calcium and was also associated with increased scores of anxiety and depression. Further investigations should be performed to check if vitamin D and calcium supplementation could relieve sleep bruxism.

However, severe cases of bruxism that have led to significant tooth wear or broken teeth may require more extensive dental procedures. In cases where this is severe bruxism damage, it is typically not reversible, but there are dental treatments that can help moving forward like orthodontics and custom night guards.

If left untreated, bruxism can result in TMJ disorders, which can further affect the functionality of your bite and jawline, resulting in a more square or boxy-looking jawline.

One in 5 children up to the age of 11 are reported to have sleep bruxism, although the real figure is probably higher as parents often are unaware. Children who brux usually begin at 4-8 years of age, the numbers increase between 10‑14 years of age and then start declining after age 14.

Many cases of bruxism are mild and may not require treatment; however, severe bruxism can lead to damaged teeth, jaw pain or tiredness, and headache.

How rare is bruxism? ›

Bruxism is defined as the repetitive jaw muscle activity characterized by the clenching or grinding of teeth. It can be categorized into awake and sleep bruxism (SB). Frequent SB occurs in about 13% of adults.

Increased tooth pain or sensitivity. Tired or tight jaw muscles, or a locked jaw that won't open or close completely. Jaw, neck or face pain or soreness. Pain that feels like an earache, though it's actually not a problem with your ear.

Three main types of restorative dentistry for bruxism include dental crowns, composite bonding, and porcelain veneers. A dental night guard can help prevent future instances of tooth damage caused by grinding.

The distal corners of the maxillary central and lateral incisors are very common areas where damage from bruxism is noticed.

The condition becomes less common with age, as around 8% of middle-aged adults and only 3% of older adults are believed to grind their teeth during sleep.

Can Changes to Your Facial Appearance from Bruxism be Reversed? To some extent, they can. Getting treatment for teeth grinding and clenching will prevent bruxism from causing further changes to your face shape and reduce the appearance of overworked chewing muscles.