Last Updated on November 23, 2022 by Shabnam Sengupta
Clenching or Bruxism in medical terms, is a parafunctional activity just like bracing, gnashing, and grinding. It is a “parafunctional habit” and is associated with life stress that may be caused by familial responsibilities or work pressure. This unintentional habit can be extremely harmful to the teeth and surrounding tissues. People with untreated bruxism grind their teeth down and break them. This typically causes jaw aches and, eventually, misalignment. Hence, this article compiles the causes of migraine, the role of clenching in migraine development, and the management of the condition.
What factors contribute to clenching teeth?
Teeth grinding is frequently associated with sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. Sleep apnea is a condition in which one briefly stops breathing while sleeping. People who snore or wake up gasping for air are likely to be affected. Stress, anger, and anxiety are frequent contributors to this behavior. Thus, even while sleeping, the restless mind causes problems. Additionally, some medications and substances can cause this behavior. Antidepressants, caffeine, and alcohol are among the most common. Bruxism can be caused by a variety of medical conditions. The most common conditions are Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and epilepsy.
Is clenching involved in migraine development?
The habit of grinding one’s teeth could intensify migraine attacks. The actions involved in a teeth-clenching episode are physically exhausting. Muscles, tendons, and joints all appear to be overworked. The tension frequently manifests as dull headaches, particularly in the temples, that do not go away.
This is due to the temporomandibular joint’s (TMJ) involvement. The TMJ is protected by powerful muscles that control the jaw. These muscles are also responsible for connecting the skull to the jaw. When someone who suffers from bruxism clenches or grinds their teeth, the tension that is created spreads out and up into the head and neck. This tension causes a headache as well as sore muscles in the face, head, neck, and shoulders. In migraine sufferers, this induced dull headache pain may aggravate migraine attacks.
How should the condition be addressed?
It is crucial to understand that by the time most people realize they have a problem of teeth grinding the damage has already been done. As a result, regular dental exams with a dentist will help detect bruxism. After determining the condition, the dental expert may recommend splints and mouth guards in addition to dental corrections. Furthermore, the dentist could teach jaw exercises to help retrain the jaw to move and bite properly. The teeth grinders must develop stress, anxiety, and anger management strategies. People who have sleep apnea-induced clenching must see a specialist to address the problem.
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