Bruxism
Bruxism is the medical term for teeth grinding and excessive jaw clenching. In the case of bruxism, teeth grinding is unconscious. Hypnosis acts on the subconscious level, which is why it can be effective for bruxism.
Table of contents
What is bruxism?
Characterized by jaw clenching and teeth grinding, bruxism can lead to dental damage and jaw problems. It is thought to affect between 8% and 10% of the population. It is divided into two categories: waking bruxism and sleeping bruxism.
Waking bruxism, as the name suggests, occurs when you're awake. There is usually no teeth grinding, only a clenching of the jaw in response to certain stimuli. Sleep bruxism occurs during sleep, and usually involves teeth grinding and jaw muscle contractions.
Most people grind their teeth to some extent, without any accompanying symptoms or complications. However, when grinding becomes persistent, it can lead to dental damage, headaches and earaches.
Primary bruxism occurs without any prior medical problem, while secondary bruxism occurs in the presence of another medical or psychiatric problem. Secondary bruxism, for example, can be associated with medications, recreational drugs, and mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
Stress and anxiety are known to exacerbate teeth grinding during sleep. This motor disorder is also linked to sleep disorders, as it tends to occur during the intervening periods of wakefulness.
The effects of bruxism vary from person to person, depending on the severity of the problem. There are both long-term and short-term effects, including the following:
Short-term effects:
earaches
headaches
facial myalgia, jaw and facial muscle pain
sleep disturbance
limitation of mouth opening
inflamed or irritated gums
excessive tooth mobility
Long-term effects :
tooth wear and breakage
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
What causes bruxism?
In some cases, the cause of bruxism is not easy to detect. To find out the cause, it's a good idea to consult your doctor, to assess your symptoms, and the factors that may be contributing to them. The most common causes are listed below:
Stress and anxiety
As mentioned earlier, most cases of sleep bruxism are thought to be caused by stress and/or anxiety. Many people report that their grinding increases when they are stressed. This could be the body's way of dealing with increased levels of stress and tension. Reducing stress, encouraging relaxation and easing anxiety can all help stop teeth grinding.
Sleep apnea
There is also a link between teeth grinding and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep. The link between these two conditions is not fully understood. However, teeth grinding often occurs during the intervening periods of wakefulness, which could be the cause.
Other sleep disorders, such as insomnia, may also be present in addition to bruxism. Again, this could be due to a lack of deep sleep phases and increased periods of wakefulness.
Certain medications
Some medications, notably antipsychotics and antidepressants, are known to cause teeth grinding. If you'd like to know more about the side effects of the medications you're taking, it's advisable to talk to your doctor.
Lifestyle factors
Certain lifestyle factors can also increase the risk of teeth grinding. These include excessive alcohol consumption, recreational drug use, excessive caffeine intake and smoking. Modifying your lifestyle to promote good health can give your bruxism treatment, and your buxism, the best chance of success.
Hypnotherapy for bruxism
Teeth grinding and jaw clenching occur unconsciously, whether you're awake or asleep. The action is controlled by your unconscious mind. Hypnotherapy, since it's a therapy that works with the unconscious mind, can use the power of suggestion to help change the thought patterns that lead to bruxism.
Hypnosis puts you in a state of deep relaxation. When you're in this state, your unconscious is open to suggestion, and to changing its patterns. Using hypnotherapy techniques, the thought patterns that lead to teeth grinding can be interrupted. Then, using suggestive language, your hypnotherapist can encourage new, more beneficial thought patterns.
According to the Bruxism Association, approximately 70% of cases of sleep bruxism are stress-related. When examining your stress, hypnotherapy can help you find the cause. It also encourages the development of more positive coping methods, so that your mind reacts better in stressful situations. Since teeth grinding can often be a reaction to stress and anxiety, using hypnosis for stress can reduce the resulting bruxism.
How many sessions are required?
Generally, 1 to 3 sessions are required. The number of sessions required varies from person to person. Some people feel better able to cope after just one session, while others need continuous reinforcement.
