Are you waking up in the morning with jaw pain or have you noticed tooth damage over time? You may suffer from a condition called bruxism, and you’re not alone. Almost 15% of the general population experience these symptoms.
Bruxism is a disorder where you excessively grind your teeth or clench your jaw and it is known as one of the world’s most common sleeping disorders. It can occur either while awake or asleep and sometimes you will be completely unaware that you are doing it. Our teeth are very strong and durable; however, if this motion becomes repetitive over time, you may be causing permanent damage to your teeth and jawline. It is believed that if you suffer from other sleep disorders, you may also be prone to bruxism.Symptoms of bruxism include:
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Jaw joint disorders
- Damaged teeth
- Lack of sleep (broken sleep)
Outlining the source
Although bruxism is not clearly understood, studies have shown that different moods, mental health and some medications may also be linked to this disorder. Recreational drugs are also known to cause unnatural chemical reactions in the brain which can cause clenching and teeth grinding while you sleep and even while you are awake.
Other possible reasons behind bruxism:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Lifestyle factors
- Stress – an estimated 70% of bruxism sufferers have claimed to have large amounts of pressure and stress which may be the common denominator for bruxism in some patients.
- Earache
- Smoking or caffeine prior to sleep
- Insomnia – sleep stress
- Entering REM-stage of sleep