Why Do People Grind Their Teeth?

[April_Rose]

Just wondering because I'm not sure whether or not I do at night but I am currently scheduled for a dentist appointment because I am showing symptoms of TMJ. Here's a video that hopefully will explain what it is for those of you who do not know,.. and I'm tagging @JohnDB because I always involve him with my health related issues and because he's smart and he loves and cares about me and might be able to help me with this.

 

[April_Rose]

Btw, anybody can answer though and please feel free too as I would really appreciate it.

 

[Anthony2019]

Bruxism is usually related to stress and anxiety, or sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea and sleep paralysis. It can also be side effect of a number of antidepressant medications, especially SSRIs.

 

[April_Rose]

Bruxism is usually related to stress and anxiety, or sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea and sleep paralysis. It can also be side effect of a number of antidepressant medications, especially SSRIs.

Oh well I don't have any disorders and stress though and currently not on any medication like that.

 

[Anthony2019]

Oh well I don't have any disorders and stress though and currently not on any medication like that.

And although I've had anxiety and stress in the past, and also recurrently have sleep paralysis, I'm not a teeth grinder! I'd find it very uncomfortable!

 

[Macchiato]

And although I've had anxiety and stress in the past, and also recurrently have sleep paralysis, I'm not a teeth grinder! I'd find it very uncomfortable!

I have high anxiety and i looked at that list and ehen my anxiety was really high I would stop breathing in my sleep. It was bad. I also twitch lol but i never had paralysis nor bruxism.

 

[April_Rose]

I have high anxiety and i looked at that list and ehen my anxiety was really high I would stop breathing in my sleep. It was bad. I also twitch lol but i never had paralysis nor bruxism.

I never had paralysis either but if it isn't bruxism and or TMJ I have absolutely no idea why I have a sore jaw and ear pain and pressure. I can't open my mouth very wide either.

 

[Macchiato]

I never had paralysis either but if it isn't bruxism and or TMJ I have absolutely no idea why I have a sore jaw and ear pain and pressure. I can't open my mouth very wide either.

Oh no. That sounds bad. Id get that looked at.

 

[April_Rose]

Oh no. That sounds bad. Id get that looked at.

I know, I have an upcoming dentist appointment, but unfortunately it isn't until September seventeenth.

 

[Anthony2019]

I get sleep paralysis from time to time and I've never understood why. I've just learned to accept it and that it is not harmful. I sometimes get hypnopompic hallucinations, unusual sounds/voices, and very rarely, the feeling of an out of body experience. But it resolves very quickly and then I'm fully back to normal.

 

[Darkhorse]

One of my kids used to do it a lot; he takes Prozac.

Believe it or not, I also had a horse who did it when she didn't like something.

 

[April_Rose]

I get sleep paralysis from time to time and I've never understood why. I've just learned to accept it and that it is not harmful. I sometimes get hypnopompic hallucinations, unusual sounds/voices, and very rarely, the feeling of an out of body experience. But it resolves very quickly and then I'm fully back to normal.

That's good, I never had that happen before too. Also I have other muscular aches and sinus issues even though the ENT saw that they were perfect which may be another clear indication of TMJ. I just keep reminding myself there will be a day with no more sickness and no more pain.

 

[April_Rose]

One of my kids used to do it a lot; he takes Prozac.

Believe it or not, I also had a horse who did it when she didn't like something.

You mean there's a kind of medication for it? I thought that they just put something on your teeth to prevent you from doing it.

 

[Darkhorse]

Prozac is one of the SSRI medications which may cause it.

My son takes it to help his Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

 

[April_Rose]

How can medication cause teeth grinding though?

 

[Anthony2019]

How can medication cause teeth grinding though?

I believe it has something to do with the effect these medications have on dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain. Antidepressants also contribute to an increased risk of other movement related disorders.

 

[April_Rose]

I believe it has something to do with the effect these medications have on dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain. Antidepressants also contribute to an increased risk of other movement related disorders.

Wow, are you by any chance a doctor?

 

[Anthony2019]

Wow, are you by any chance a doctor?

No I'm not a doctor, but as a nurse, I've done quite a bit of research into many of the commonly prescribed medications, their uses, doses and side effects. I've got a copy of the formulary. It's a good bedtime read - it always helps me go to sleep! lol.

 

[April_Rose]

No I'm not a doctor, but as a nurse, I've done quite a bit of research into many of the commonly prescribed medications, their uses, doses and side effects. I've got a copy of the formulary. It's a good bedtime read - it always helps me go to sleep! lol.

Ah very interesting a male nurse,.. even though I know they exist I don't think I've ever had one before so that's pretty cool. Anyways, this is something recent with me so I guess even if you weren't a tooth grinder when you were young, that this could happen at any time.

 

[Anthony2019]

You would need to speak to your doctor so they can rule out any possible causes and recommend the right treatment for you. There are medications that can be used to help with bruxism, such as anticonvulsants (for example, gabapentin or pregabalin) but you'd need to speak to your doctor to make sure they are safe and appropriate for your situation.