Teeth Grinding and Headaches: Identifying and Treating Bruxism
When we sleep, we do many things we’re not aware of. For instance, some of us snore, others talk and wrestle pillows, others even walk and eat in their sleep with no memories of it in the morning! Not surprisingly, many of us also grind or clench our teeth while we sleep. Indeed, experts estimate that around 40 million people suffer from excessive teeth grinding, also known as bruxism. Bruxism is more than a quirky habit. The condition can cause jaw pain, headaches, and even migraines. If you suffer from morning headaches or jaw pain, keep reading. Teeth grinding and clenching can indeed cause headaches! Thus, a trip to the dentist might help you get some relief from cluster headaches or migraines.
What Causes Teeth grinding?
The large number of people who suffer from teeth grinding headaches is not surprising when you consider all of the different causes of bruxism. For example, stress and anxiety may cause many people to grind their teeth. More often, however, an abnormal bite and/or missing or crooked teeth results in bruxism. Others find that sleep apnea contributes to their teeth grinding, while for others it’s their Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder to blame. Finally, some medications (such as some anti-depressants) list teeth grinding as a possible side effect.
Common Signs of Teeth Clenching and Grinding
No matter what causes you to clench or grind your teeth during sleep, you may experience any combination of these common signs and symptoms:
- Headache upon waking
- Tender points near jaw
- Migraines that respond poorly to other treatment
- Stiff neck in the morning
- Ear pain
- Sinus pressure
- Teeth sensitivity
- Chipped/cracked molars
Your partner may also hear your teeth grinding noises while your sleep. Of course, some of these symptoms may be due to other conditions like a sinus infection or other illnesses. If these have been ruled out, though, it may be time to consider a trip to talk to your dentist.
How Teeth Grinding and Clenching Contribue to Headaches, Even Migraines
Our jaws are powerful! They allow us to bite down with about 70 pounds of force per square inch. When we purposefully clench down, our force per square inch can double to 140 pounds per square inch. Some experts estimate that this force increases to 700 pounds of force per square inch when we clench and grind our teeth at night! Clearly, this much force puts a great deal of strain and pressure on your your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and supporting muscles. Your TMJ muscles span to your jaw, cheeks, and the side of your head. Thus, bruxism over works these muscles to the point of throbbing headache pain, and in some instances, migraines.
Other Effects of Teeth Grinding and Clenching
Headaches may be the first, most noticeable effect of bruxism for many. Others may notice earaches and sinus pain, too, since the TMJ muscles surrounding these structures. The effects of teeth grinding don’t stop there, though. Bruxism can negatively impact the structure of your teeth. It can eventually wear teeth down to stumps, fracture or loosen them. If any of these happen, you could end up needing bridges, fillings or even root canals. In some cases, people have had to get partial or full dentures as a result of excessive teeth grinding.
How a Trip to the Dentist Can Help with Headaches from Teeth Grinding and Clenching
Clearly, bruxism should not be left untreated. Your headaches deserve attention, too. A dental exam helps with both. Your dentist can
- Rule Out Other Causes of Headaches: An exam will rule out other possible causes of your heachaches and jaw pain such as ear infections, sinus infections, and dental abcesses.
- Examine Teeth for Damage Caused by Teeth Grinding: The dentist will look for signs of wear and tear on your teeth common with teeth grinding so they can intervene before more serious damage is done.
- Assess TMJ Functioning: Part of the exam will involve checking how well your jaw functions. The dentist will listen for any popping or clicking sounds, as well as observe any sore muscles.
- Fit You for a Bite Splint: If your dental exam suggests teeth grinding and clenching may be contributing to your headaches, your dentist may suggest a bite splint. This simple device reduces the pressure placed on your jaw and teeth during sleep when bruxism causes the most harm.
What is the Difference Between a Bite Splint and a Mouth Guard?
Many people mistakenly believe that a mouth guard and a bite splint (or night guard) are the same thing. Although they are similar, they fit and function differently.
- Mouthguard: Made from hard plastics, these devices protect your teeth from external hits to the mouth. You can purchase boil-and-bite mouthguards inexpensively at most pharmacies. They offer a great solution to athletes who play contact sports and want to keep their smile safe from flying hockey pucks! Their marginal fit, however, do not reduce bite pressure the same way a custom-made bite splint cant.
- Bite Splint or Night Guard: These devices work to reduce bite pressure. Unlike a store-bought mouth guard, a bite splint or night guard requires a trip to the dentist. Your dentist makes molded impressions of your teeth to create a splint to fit your jaw and bite perfectly. Furthermore, dentists craft night guards out of a special dental acrylic that is easier on tooth enamel than many of the plastics found in OTC mouth guards. The perfect fit to your bite, coupled with the superior cushioning materials, reduces bite pressure.
In short, bite splints work to reduce the effects of teeth grinding and clenching.
They form a custom-fit cushion that protects teeth from rubbing against each other while you sleep, too. For many, this reduced pressure and tooth protection helps relieve their headaches.
Other Ways to Reduce Symptoms of Bruxism
Night guards are not the only thing you can do to reduce the symptoms of bruxism. You can also follow some of the following tips to help reduce how much you grind your teeth in the first place.
- Get better sleep. Grinding your teeth while you sleep happens more frequently in people who do not have healthy sleep patterns than those who sleep well. Thus, your first line of defense should be to set yourself up for sleeping success.
- Limit television watching and smartphone use before bed. Excessive television or phones can cause stress to your body and disrupt your sleep, creating harmful patterns that exacerbate teeth grinding. Stop using electronics at least an hour before heading to bed to lessen their impact on your ability to fall and stay asleep.
- Stop smoking or vaping. Nicotine is a stimulant. As a result, it interferes with sleep patterns. Experts note that without proper sleep stages and patterns, TMJ disorder symptoms and teeth clenching during sleep tend to increase.
- Avoid caffeine. Coffee, chocolate, tea, cola–all have sleep-robbing caffeine. Cut them out of your diet as much as possible, and avoid consuming caffeine after noon.
2. Avoid drinking alcohol. Although a night cap may help you fall asleep faster, alcohol interferes with your ability to sleep deeply and to stay asleep. It also dehydrates you.
- Keep hydrated. Insufficient fluids throughout the day can dehydrate you and cause teeth grinding. You’ll unconsciously grind and grit teeth in order to force your mouth to produce the saliva it needs to keep healthy while you sleep.
- Talk to your doctor and dentist about your medications. Some medications may list teeth grinding as a side effect. Consult with your doctor and dentist to discuss what your options are for getting the medication you need while protecting your teeth.
- Focus on reducing stress and anxiety in your life. Life is stressful! Even big positive changes like a new career or new home cause stress. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by life, consider talking to a close friend or professional about it. Regular exercise and a healthy diet also help manage stress and anxiety. Find what options work for you, so your stress doesn’t manifest in teeth grinding and clenching at night.
Is a Bite Splint Right for You?
The only way to know for sure is by visiting a dentist. Your dentist can consider your complete medical history in conjunction with headaches and other symptoms you have. Together, you and your dentist can decide if your headaches are caused or made worse by bruxism.
This article is not intended to serve as medical or dental advice. It is for informational purposes only. Only your doctor and dentist can fully evaluate your headaches to determine their cause and the best course of treatment.
Call our office at (330) 688-4942, and Michelle, Denise, or Jeanie will be happy to find you an appointment time that’s convenient for your schedule. Drs. Evan and Bartels will work with you ato assess if teeth grinding and clenching may be a contributing factor to your headaches.
With early morning and evening appointments available, we make scheduling a convenient time easy. We’re easy to find on Route 91 border of Stow, Ohio, just down the road from Adell Durbin Park. This location makes us an easy drive from Tallmadge, Ohio, too!
