Teeth Grinding

The first thing to understand about a mouth guard is that they are there to protect your teeth and will not actually prevent the grinding or clenching itself. Bruxism is usually caused by an underlying condition. The most damaging consequence of night grinding is the deterioration of tooth enamel. Teeth are covered in a layer of dentine, which protects the nerve endings and blood vessels underneath; dentine is in turn covered by a harder substance called enamel.

When under chronic stress, the muscles in the jaw tenses and tightens during sleep. This clenches the teeth together, sometimes resulting in a grinding motion that grates the upper and lower rows against each other. Persistent, untreated bruxism can result in deterioration of the enamel all the way through the dentine, compromising the integrity of your teeth.

The cause of teeth grinding is not always clear, but it’s usually linked to other factors, such as stress, anxiety or sleep problems. Teeth grinding is most often caused by stress or anxiety and many people are not aware they do it. It often happens during sleep. Teeth grinding can sometimes be a side effect of taking certain types of medicine. In particular, teeth grinding is sometimes linked to a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Examples of SSRIs include Paroxetine, Fluoxetine and Sertraline. If you snore or have a sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), you’re more likely to grind your teeth while you sleep.

Other factors that can make you more likely to grind your teeth or make it worse include:

• Drinking alcoholor smoking
• Using recreational drugs
• Having lots of caffeinated drinks, such as tea or coffee (6 or more cups a day)