Why do many people grind their teeth while sleeping? Can it be treated?

Teeth grinding not only affects the quality of life but also leads to oral health problems such as tooth wear, facial pain...

In addition to psychological factors, teeth grinding can lead to tooth wear and cracking - Photo: BVCC

According to Dr. Bui Thi Thu Hien (dental department, 108 Central Military Hospital), teeth grinding can occur while sleeping or awake, causing negative effects on the oral and facial areas and the patient's psychology.

According to studies around the world , teeth grinding during sleep occurs in the community at a rate of 12.8 ± 31% in adults, while the rate of teeth grinding while awake is from 22.1% - 31%.

Teeth grinding can occur in both children and adults, and is increasingly common in the community and younger people.

Causes of teeth grinding

According to Dr. Hien, teeth grinding is caused by a combination of many different factors, including local factors such as bite disorders (when teeth grow, improperly fitting dental crowns, etc.), psychological factors (anxiety, stress, etc.) and neurological factors, which are closely related to stress and sleep disorders - considered the main causes of teeth grinding.

According to this expert, teeth grinding is not too dangerous and needs immediate treatment like some other acute oral diseases.

But in the long term, the disease can affect the quality of life, causing some complications such as cracked teeth, tooth wear causing pain, broken dental restorations (fillings, crowns), bone loss around implants, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (unable to open the mouth, crooked mouth opening, temporomandibular joint pain when chewing), facial muscle pain (jaw fatigue, headache)...

In addition, patients may also experience tinnitus, dizziness, and psychological symptoms such as anxiety, stress, and insomnia. The sound of teeth grinding while sleeping can cause a lot of discomfort for people around.

Therefore, it is necessary to consider and diagnose bruxism before performing any dental intervention. Diagnosis of bruxism is through questionnaires, direct examination, wearing Bruxchecker and electromyography under the supervision of a dentist.

How to treat teeth grinding?

Dr. Hien said that the goal of treating teeth grinding is to reduce pain, reduce the impact on teeth, restore the temporomandibular joint, and limit continued teeth grinding. Treatment requires the coordination of many specialists in the field of dentistry and related fields.

Treatment to control psychological factors, neurological diseases

Teeth grinding due to psychological factors and neurological diseases requires applying methods to help reduce stress such as changing the environment (listening to relaxing music, taking a warm bath before going to bed), regularly doing light exercise, relaxing meditation, treating sleep disorders, facial massage, avoiding the use of stimulants, especially in the evening before going to bed.

In addition, doctors can prescribe medication to treat teeth grinding to reduce excessive chewing muscle contractions caused by teeth grinding (muscle relaxants, pain relievers), control stress or psychological problems (antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs).

Dental intervention

Dental treatment helps protect teeth from the harmful effects of teeth grinding and treat the consequences caused by teeth grinding.

Common dental interventions in the treatment of teeth grinding include using anti-grinding splints to protect the tooth surface from wear and tear, relaxing the chewing muscles. Correcting the bite to reduce excessive impact on the chewing muscles as well as the teeth. Restoring the shape of the teeth, re-establishing the bite if the teeth are worn down a lot, or if the teeth are sensitive.

"Although teeth grinding is not life-threatening, it is persistent and can cause serious harm to the teeth and the patient's psychology. Treating teeth grinding requires perseverance and cooperation from the patient with specialists.

Self-detecting symptoms and getting properly diagnosed and treated by specialists is necessary to avoid unfortunate consequences caused by teeth grinding," Dr. Hien recommends.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tai-sao-nhieu-nguoi-ngu-lai-nghien-rang-co-dieu-tri-duoc-khong-20250818171631265.htm