Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is one of the most common consequences of sleep disorders — one that is gradually revealed by worn-down, sensitive teeth or even an altered bite.
Many people with bruxism don’t know they have this disorder and often hear about it only when they visit the dentist. Dentist Gintarė Žmuidinavičienė reveals the first signs that show we grind our teeth at night, and Eurovaistinė pharmacist Gabija Kruopytė explains which vitamin deficiencies can also play a part.
Teeth grinding is like an emotional release
“Any stronger emotional imbalance — from anxiety to euphoria — can increase the risk of grinding teeth at night. Teeth grinding is a recurring disorder of the chewing-system muscles. It can manifest itself not only as involuntary grinding but also as wear or clenching. It’s something like the person’s emotional release. Sleep disorders such as snoring or obstructive sleep apnoea, the use of antidepressants, alcohol or caffeine, smoking and engaging in active sports can also influence this kind of teeth grinding,” dentist Gintarė Žmuidinavičienė says.
A vitamin deficiency can trigger teeth grinding
Teeth grinding can sometimes be triggered not only by emotional causes but also by a deficiency of certain vitamins. Pharmacist Gabija Kruopytė singles out magnesium, calcium and vitamin D as the most important. “At first glance it might seem that only calcium is important for dental health, but that wouldn’t be true. In this case it’s important not only to maintain enough of it in the body, but also to take magnesium and vitamin D in a disciplined way. The latest studies show that teeth grinding is linked to a vitamin D deficiency, and that’s no surprise, since most Lithuanians often lack this vitamin. Magnesium taken in the evening, meanwhile, can help relax the jaw muscles, reduce teeth grinding and improve sleep quality itself,” pharmacist G. Kruopytė says.
The dangers of teeth grinding
The dentist explains that grinding teeth damages the protective layer of the teeth — the enamel. According to her, at first you can feel tooth sensitivity, then pain, and later changes in the temporomandibular joint may appear. „You should be concerned if during the day you feel tension in your chewing muscles, pain or even headaches. This sets off a whole cycle of problems, covering not only damage to the surface of the teeth but also problems with an incorrect bite, the chewing musculature and the joint, all of which affect overall health. Don’t wait for changes in the joint or bite — contact a dentist in good time to restore the shape of your teeth. In the meantime, wear a protective mouthguard at night and a sports mouthguard when playing sport,“ dentist G. Žmuidinavičienė advises.
4 signs that you grind your teeth in your sleep
– Your loved ones hear you. Most commonly, it’s a loved one sleeping next to the person who tells them about the bruxism disorder. Ask your loved one whether they’ve heard you grinding at night.
– Front canine teeth. If you’ve noticed that the canines of your front teeth are flat and no longer as pointed as before, this may indicate long-standing teeth grinding.
– Front teeth of equal length. Bruxism is also revealed by the six front teeth, when they’re all the same length. Naturally, the central incisors and canines should be longer, while the others should be about 1–2 mm shorter.
– Chips on the front teeth. Pay attention to whether your front teeth have become shorter — that is, check whether differences in length have appeared between paired teeth. For example, if both central incisors (front teeth) are of unequal length, this may mean you grind your teeth.
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