Stress has become something with which people live today, and it is a part of our everyday life that appears unnoticed. Oh, the kind of pain that comes when you are laying in bed trying to sleep with jaws locked tightly, and you wake up with a headache and aching teeth. This is not just about having a night or two of poor sleep; this could be a sign that a chronic condition is slowly damaging your health. Teeth grinding and clenching or bruxism has become more rampant in the recent past and rightly so. While dealing with stressors, the body has a tendency of responding in ways that are always fatal and may lead to serious and permanent damages.
Research has also revealed a higher use of Google to search conditions, such as ‘bruxism’ or ‘teeth grinding’ that has been realized particularly during periods of high stress, including the COVID-19 outbreak. Thus, it can be stated that the given trend shows the increased attention of the population to this condition and the need for proper management and therapeutic interventions.
The Stress-Bruxism Connection
It is thus evident that stress and bruxism are linked arms. Stress has been found to be an initiator of a biological process in the body, where the body manifests complications by overactivity in muscles among other things. When this overactivity happens in the muscles of the jaw, it becomes temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, resulting in teeth grinding and clenching. The most disturbing fact is that the majority of the bruxism patients have no clue regarding the condition. They may ignore the primary symptoms, such as little discomfort in the jaw or periodic headaches till the condition gets worse.
On your teeth, bruxism is followed by chronic pain and recurrent hearing problems, and let’s not forget the deformation of the face that accompanies the condition. It is possible that one wakes up with a stiff jaw every morning with teeth abrasions and a chronic low-intensity headache. This is the daily reality for those who have this ailment.
Alcohol and Bruxism
There is a strong correlation between alcohol and bruxism. People who drink alcohol are most prone to having this condition. There is research that alcohol impacts on the central nervous system resulting in sleep disorders, thereby causing muscle contractions during sleep. This increases the overactivity of the muscles, and teeth grinding and clenching will also intensify. As a result, people who grind their teeth have more dental issues and/or jaw pain. Now that we know how alcohol drinking, high stress levels, and bruxism are correlated, we should work on reducing both alcohol consumption and daily stressors.
The Consequences of Untreated Bruxism
If bruxism is not treated, one can expect problems, such as super sensitive teeth and jaw pain. The bruxism puts pressure on the enamel daily and damages it. This can cause hypersensitivity and sometimes fractures. In patients who have not sought treatment for bruxism, relocation of the temporomandibular joint, chipped enamel, and broken crowns or fillings are very common. These problems do not end on the teeth; our facial muscles & joints are also affected by bruxism.
The tiny muscles and joints that are part of your neck and head’s structures are the most sensitive to the effects of stress. Long hours of grinding can misalign the joints or cause inflammation of the joint, hence the temporomandibular disorder (TMD). TMD entails aches in the joints, moves, and muscles of the jaw as well as difficulties in the movements. You may have noticed popping or clicking sounds when you open your mouth. You may have limitations opening your mouth because of the pain caused by bruxism. At some point, TMD can progress to chronic pain and long-term dysfunction when it gets to severe stages.
These are some of the symptoms of bruxism, one can experience:
| Symptoms | |
| Head & Neck | Headaches, jaw pain, facial pain, earaches, tinnitus, Muscle tension, TMJ disorders |
| Mouth & Teeth | Teeth grinding, tooth sensitivity, tooth damage, gum recession, bone loss, and teeth mobility in severe cases. |
| Eyes | Light sensitivity, eye pain, vision issues |
| Others | Sleep disorders, stress, anxiety, dizziness |
Injectable Muscle Relaxants: Safe and Effective Relief
Traditional treatments for bruxism often involve wearing a night guard to protect the teeth from grinding. Although this may help in diminishing further harm, it is not the solution to the core of the issue. The main problem is the overworking of the muscles of the jaw. This is where a newer and better solution comes into play. What if we can relax your hyperactive facial muscles?
The tolerance profile of these relaxants is comparatively good, most of the side effects being mild and temporary, like pain at the injection site. In general, they are safer and effective for patients with TMD by providing pain alleviation and reduction of other symptoms.
This innovative treatment is based on trying to make the muscles responsible for grinding and clenching relaxed. With a direct focus on the muscle tissue, this technique alleviates the uncomfortable signs of bruxism and prevents further deterioration of your dental and jaw structures. The results? Most patients have reported relief of symptoms and pain, less tension in the jaw, an aesthetically improved look on the face.
Success Stories!
Let me walk you through the journey of a patient with chronic jaw pain as a result of grinding teeth while sleeping. Since she had not responded well to traditional treatment methods, and lost a few night guards, this was the new improved treatment given to her. In a matter of weeks, she reported significant pain reduction, and her jaw was less tense than she remembered in years. She was enjoying her new chiseled-jaw look and her slim face after her strong facial muscles were relaxed, they were no longer popping so noticeably!
One more patient who had headaches caused by clenching of the jaw reported this treatment helped her eliminate this issue and also affected her quality of sleep. The regular headache she would get disappeared, it was not interfering with her daily activities anymore, and she could wake up without a pain.
The Broader Benefits of Treatment
The goal of this treatment is to eliminate the symptoms of bruxism and TMD, but patients will see other bonus benefits! For people who clench the jaw due to stress, relaxing the jaw muscles makes them feel relaxed in general. Some even noice a general enhancement of the outlook of their face, as the muscles in the jaw relax and reduce in size.
Injectable muscle relaxants have been found effective in most cases till it wears off. Therefore, stress reduction strategies, physical rehabilitation, and dental treatments should be used in addition to the injectables. For those who have struggled with bruxism and TMD for years without finding effective relief and have not been able to wear night guards consistently, this treatment can be a game-changer!
Takeaways!
Bruxism should not take full control of various aspects of your life.
It is vital to get in touch with appropriate procedures, which were carefully designed to address the cause of the symptoms and allow regaining control over one’s health. There is hope and, should you undertake the correct steps, you can now leave bruxism behind and eliminate your suffering!
References
- Buduru, S., Almăşan, O., Condor, D., Tăut, M., Mesaroș, A., Manziuc, M., & Kui, A. (2024). Therapeutic challenges in temporomandibular disorders. Medicine and Pharmacy Reports, 97(3), 357-369.
- Buzatu, R., Luca, M. M., Castiglione, L., & Sinescu, C. (2024). Efficacy and Safety of Botulinum Toxin in the Management of Temporomandibular Symptoms Associated with Sleep Bruxism: A Systematic Review. Dentistry Journal, 12(6), 156.
- Kardeş, E., & Kardeş, S. (2022). Google searches for bruxism, teeth grinding, and teeth clenching during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics/Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie, 83(6), 1-6.
- Ronsivalle, V., Marrapodi, M. M., Siurkel, Y., Cicciù, M., & Minervini, G. (2024). Prevalence of Bruxism in alcohol abusers: a systematic review conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and the cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. BMC Oral Health, 24(1), 108.
- Wieckiewicz, M., Paradowska-Stolarz, A., & Wieckiewicz, W. (2014). Psychosocial aspects of bruxism: the most paramount factor influencing teeth grinding. BioMed Research International, 2014(1), 469187.
