Bruxism

Although the exact cause of bruxism remains unclear, it may be caused by:

• Stress and anxiety
• Missing or crooked teeth
• Sleep apnea
• Snoring
• An abnormal bite, which means the teeth do not meet properly when the jaw closes
• A side effect of certain medications
• Neurological conditions such as Huntington’s disease or Parkinson’s disease

There is no single cure for bruxism, but options exist to relieve symptoms. The most common treatment for bruxism is a mouth guard or splint. Mouthguards don’t necessarily cure bruxism, but they can prevent or correct the wear to your teeth caused by the condition.

Mouthguards are custom made of hard acrylic plastic or soft materials, to fit over your upper and lower teeth, to minimize the abrasion action of tooth surfaces during sleep. It accomplishes this by re-establishing natural space between your upper and lower teeth and providing a barrier of defense. The mouthguard helps reduce the risk of cracking or chipping a tooth, and can also minimize strain to your jaw, ultimately helping to prevent damage to teeth and to the temporomandibular joint.

Splints are another option. Some splints fit over the top teeth, some on the bottom. Depending on the particular design, a splint may keep the jaw in a more relaxed position and provide a barrier so that the splint, rather than teeth, are damaged.