What is bruxism?
Grinding your teeth is known professionally as bruxism. It is estimated that 85-90% of the Danish population have experienced grinding their teeth at some point in their lives and approximately 5% of adults suffer from chronic nocturnal bruxism - that is, they grind their teeth every night.
Bruxism wears down teeth and can cause sore jaws and headaches. In addition, nighttime bruxism reduces sleep quality because it alters the distribution of the different stages of sleep, so you get less of the deep sleep.
Why do people grind their teeth?
Bruxism occurs both at night and while awake. It is not known for sure what causes bruxism, but there are indications that it is caused by overactivity of the nerves in the brain's chewing center. This happens in the context of, for example:
- Stress or anxiety in everyday life
- Caffeine
- Nicotine
- Psychological factors
- Medication - especially antidepressants.
Many people don't know they are grinding their teeth and need to be made aware of it. Others can feel in the morning that they have cut their teeth in their jaws or chewing muscles. If you suffer from severe bruxism, the dentist will usually be able to see it and make you aware of it. But if you're not sure, don't hesitate to ask.
The consequences of untreated teeth grinding
Bruxism can cause several complications - including:
Sore jaws and headaches
Bruxism wears down teeth and can cause sore jaws and headaches. This is because the chewing muscles of the face have been working overtime all night. As a result, the jaws have been clenched so tightly that the facial muscles are not able to relax during the night.
Reduced sleep quality
Teeth grinding at night can sometimes be heard as a grinding sound. There is also a risk of reduced sleep quality as it alters the distribution of the different stages of sleep, so you get less of the deep sleep.
Tension headaches in the morning
Bruxism can often lead to a tension headache in the morning due to the pressure between the lower and upper jaw. The headache is characterized by being located on both sides of the head and not just one side - like a migraine. For some, it's such an intrusive problem that they also feel an earache due to the overload in the jaw joint.
Damage to teeth
Not least, teeth grinding can lead to complications in the teeth. Teeth can feel sore and sensitive to cold and heat, and in addition to tooth wear, teeth can start to crack in severe cases.
This is risky as it can lead to teeth breaking in the long run. In the worst case scenario, the teeth can wear down so much that they reach the nerve. In this case, the problem can only be remedied with a root canal treatment.
How do you treat bruxism?
Today, there are devices that use ultra-low electrical impulses to stimulate the chewing muscles to relax while you sleep. The stimulation takes place without waking you up or feeling anything.
If you want to do something about your teeth grinding, you first need to find out what in your everyday life is causing it. If stress and lack of relaxation are contributing factors to your teeth grinding, we recommend establishing a regular sleep routine with a set bedtime. Another thing that can help is to reduce your intake of alcohol and coffee - and avoid smoking. This way, you can allow your body to calm down at bedtime and hopefully your body will gradually wean itself from grinding its teeth.
If you want to reduce the risk of worse dental problems that come as a result of bruxism, your dentist can help you immediately. At Tandliv, we can offer you help by making a bite guard for you.
How do mouthguards prevent wear and tear on your teeth?
It's difficult to change the activity in the brain, but you can prevent tooth wear with a mouthguard. At the dentist, you can have an impression taken of your teeth, after which we make a bite guard from transparent hard plastic, usually acrylic. The occlusal splint is completely customized and must be fine-tuned by the dentist so that it fits snugly without tightening.
The occlusal splint is manufactured to prevent further wear on the teeth. In the vast majority of cases, the occlusal splint - also known as the upper jaw splint - should only be used while you sleep.
How does the occlusal splint work?
With the occlusal splint in your mouth, you wear down the hard acrylic instead of your teeth. The occlusal splint is usually attached to the upper jaw teeth. It is also called a reflex-releasing splint because it changes the way the teeth bite together in the oral cavity. It creates space between the upper and lower jaw.
This allows the teeth on the acrylic splint to move freely to where the jaw muscles want to be. Due to the chewing muscles being able to relax more, occlusal splints can in some cases also reduce soreness and reduce bruxism. However, the main rule is that the occlusal splint only prevents and reduces tooth wear.
What does a bite guard cost?
A bite guard costs DKK 4200 and requires one to two visits to the dentist, as a scan must first be taken and sent to a technician. Approximately 14 days later, the splint is delivered. The splint must then be taken for a follow-up visit to ensure that the splint still fits as intended.
However, there are subsidies and discounts available. If you are a member of Health Insurance Denmark, there are subsidies available.
You can read more about discounts on our grants and discounts page.
FAQ - Teeth grinding
How do I get rid of teeth grinding?
You should consider getting a customized mouthguard from your dentist for optimal fit and comfort. The mouthguard protects teeth from wear and damage during sleep. Keep it clean and in good condition. Combine the use of a mouthguard with relaxation techniques and healthy sleep hygiene for better results.
A bite guard is primarily designed to protect teeth from damage caused by cutting and is not intended to straighten teeth. To straighten teeth, we can recommend braces, Invisalign or other orthodontic methods customized to your specific needs.
The lifespan of a mouthguard varies depending on the material, quality and the user's tooth cutting intensity. In general, a mouthguard can last between 6 months to 2 years or longer. Extend the life of the occlusal guard by cleaning it regularly and storing it in a protective box.
Contact us and get advice
If you have any doubts or questions, don't hesitate to contact us.
- I look forward to meeting you in the clinic.
- Dental hygienist
Adam was born in 1996 and graduated from the University of Copenhagen at the School of Clinical Assistants and Dental Hygienists (graduated in 2019).
In his spare time, he loves playing and watching football.
Contact us for an appointment
If you experience problems with your teeth grinding, a mouthguard can prevent wear on your teeth. Tandliv is ready to help you if you suffer from bruxism. If you have any questions or just want to book an appointment, feel free to contact us.
