Teeth grinding (Bruxism)
Teeth grinding during sleep occurs completely unconsciously and therefore cannot be consciously controlled by the person affected.
The causes
The causes and triggering factors of teeth grinding are not fully understood. However, the following are often blamed:
- Stress
- Overwork
- Emotional imbalance
- Anxiety
- Burnout
- Hereditary factors
- Smoking
- Poorly fitting dentures or fillings
The consequences
As a result of the upper and lower jaws or rows of teeth pressing against each other, the following occurs over time:
- Damage and wear to the teeth and chewing surfaces, the periodontium and the jaw joints
- Disproportionate and usually clearly visible enlargement (hypertrophy) of the right and left main chewing muscles (masseter muscles), which can lead to an aesthetically unfavourable, widened lower third of the face. This is often referred to as a ‘square facial expression’.
The symptoms
Teeth grinding can be a triggering factor for the following symptoms:
- Sleep disorders with resulting daytime fatigue
- Imbalance and irritability
- Pain syndromes
- Migraines
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vision problems
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Tension
- Burnout
Causes and consequences often overlap and influence each other, leading to a vicious circle that perpetuates itself.
Dr Sascha Dörrmann’s treatment for teeth grinding:
There is a new, very effective therapy for treating teeth grinding. By relaxing the main chewing muscles (musculi masseterici) with botulinum toxin type A, this vicious circle can be broken and teeth grinding reduced or stopped. A significant reduction in bite force is not usually a concern.
Patients treated with this method often report significantly improved sleep and an increase in their general well-being as a result. A very pleasant side effect is the aesthetic optimisation of the facial contour. The width of the lower third of the face decreases, resulting in a usually significant increase in attractiveness. Some private health insurance companies cover the costs of the therapy or subsidise it.
The frequently prescribed bite splints or grinding splints are not usually a causal therapy, but only serve as abrasion protection for the teeth.
