functional dentistry and occlusion from new generation
Teeth Grinding Is Not the Problem - and Should Not Be Treated
Bruxing—grinding or clenching your teeth—is often considered a sign of stress or a problem that needs fixing. Many believe that bruxing will wear down the teeth and requires treatment. However, this is a misconception: bruxing itself is not pathological. It is physiological, meaning it serves a purpose in the healthy functioning of our masticatory system and the entire body.
That being said, bruxing can sometimes cause teeth damage, pain, insomnia, and various other issues. The real problem isn’t bruxing itself, but the impact it has on your teeth and jaw when there is a bad bite or misalignment that creates obstacles, causes clashes in your mouth, or leads to severe grinding, eventually resulting in damage.
We do not need to “fix” bruxing—we just need to properly align the teeth and jaw so that bruxing occurs naturally, doing its job in our bodily system without causing clashes, obstacles, or pain.
How Do We Monitor and Understand Bruxing
Think of bruxing like the movement of a knee joint. When you bend your knee, it’s a natural, normal action. However, if the bones aren’t aligned properly, this movement can cause wear and tear. Similarly, bruxing is a normal process, but if there are issues with how the teeth align or how the jaw moves, it can lead to problems like tooth abrasion or jaw pain.
During sleep, when bruxing occurs, it’s as if our brain is trying to “shake out” stress, akin to ancient practices of body shaking to release tension. Just as our brain sends signals to our muscles to move as we sleep, it might also direct our jaw to grind or clench. If the teeth and jaw are properly aligned, this process can occur without significant issues. However, if there are misalignments or structural problems, bruxing can exacerbate these issues, leading to further discomfort or damage.
The Role of the Dentist
So, what can be done about bruxing? As a dentist, the goal is not to “treat” bruxing directly but to understand and manage its effects.
First, we need to understand how bruxing happens and where it creates problems. We have a very practical tool called a brux checker—a simple diagnostic device that tracks teeth contact and movement using colored foil, which leaves trails on your teeth as they clash, grind, or touch during sleep.
This helps dentists analyze bruxing patterns. By examining where and how the teeth come into contact, dentists can better understand the bruxing pattern and address any resulting issues. For example, if a patient’s bruxing is causing excessive wear on certain teeth, adjustments can be made to ensure a more even bite, reducing the risk of further damage. The key is to create a balanced environment where bruxing can occur naturally without causing undue harm.
In functional dentistry, which focuses on holistic well-being rather than treating isolated symptoms, understanding bruxing involves looking at the whole picture. Stress management, proper dental alignment, and overall health all play a role in how bruxing manifests and affects the body.
The Case of Children
For children, bruxing is a normal part of development. It’s a way for their growing bodies to adapt and align their teeth and jaws. Parents may worry about their child’s bruxing, but in many cases, it’s a natural process that helps with the development of their TMJ (temporomandibular joint). Instead of panicking, understanding that this is part of normal growth can provide peace of mind.
Bruxing is a complex, natural process rather than a simple problem to be fixed. Only when something interferes with safe, physiological bruxing—causing pain, stress, or imbalance—do we need to take action. But again, we don’t want to stop bruxing; we just want to remove obstacles to prevent wear, tear, and damage to oral structures.
