This problem takes the form of nocturnal teeth grinding, but we must know and combat its underlying causes.
Now, bruxism does not appear spontaneously out of nowhere; There are contextual and psychological factors that facilitate its appearance and encourage this behavior to be triggered, and one of the most important is anxiety. In this article I will talk about precisely that: the relationship between bruxism and anxiety .
What is bruxism?
Bruxism is a parafunctional habit, which means that it is a pattern of movement that is repeated over and over again and that involves the use of a part of the body in a way that is different from the way in which it is conventionally used, or the way it is used. which is ready to be used.
In this case, by grinding the teeth, dental occlusion occurs in such a way that it damages the enamel and, over time, can completely wear down this material, until it reaches the dentin.
Thus, it constitutes an alteration capable of significantly damaging people’s health, so in the face of this habit it is important to have professional help.
On the other hand, bruxism can be classified into two types: the one that occurs during sleep, and the one that occurs in the waking state. Both have different characteristics, as we will see, and yet they have something in common: teeth grinding occurs unconsciously, without the person realizing it. In fact, it is common to realize that bruxism has developed when going to the dentist, when some time has passed since this habit has appeared and has already produced its first injuries to the teeth.
The relationship between teeth grinding and anxiety
Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterized by the state of alert to which it leads us. When we are anxious, we become much more sensitive to anything that could be interpreted as a sign of danger or that something important is about to happen; It is part of the biological mechanisms with which we have evolved to be able to adapt more to the difficulties of everyday life and have more chances of living for many years.
However, sometimes anxiety can lead us to develop habits that are a problem in themselves, and bruxism is an example of this. The tension that we accumulate due to this state of activation and alertness leads us to try to find a way out, and on many occasions this gives rise to repetitive and involuntary behaviors, such as hair pulling, scratching, pinching, etc. It seems that bruxism sometimes happens to be one of these ways of responding to anxiety.
It has been seen that people with a greater tendency to accumulate anxiety are more likely to develop waking bruxism , and that children who present bruxism in a sleep state are, in general, more likely to suffer from anxiety problems. Thus, bruxism and anxiety seem to be connected phenomena, and for this reason it is recommended that those who usually fall into the habit of grinding their teeth adopt measures to regulate stress and anxiety to protect the good condition of their teeth and jaw. .
Now, despite the fact that in bruxism there is a problem related to automatic and unconscious behavior, this alteration does not appear in the category of Impulse Control Disorders, and although it is influenced by anxiety, it is not included either. in that of anxiety disorders, both classifications appearing in the most widely used diagnostic manuals in recent years (DSM-IV and DSM-5).
This already allows us to intuit the complexity of this habit, which is not defined as psychopathology, but as a parafunctional movement investigated above all by branches of medicine such as dentists. However, it cannot be denied that bruxism has an obvious psychological dimension, since it is still an example of behavior.
Treating anxiety to protect teeth
The treatment of anxiety is one of the most common objectives with which psychologists work . The number of people who turn to psychology professionals to overcome problems related to stress and excessive anxiety is very high, and fortunately, there are effective procedures to satisfy this kind of need.
For example, the cognitive-behavioral intervention model helps the person to adopt more appropriate habits and ways of thinking and feeling when it comes to regulating their emotional states and their level of anxiety, so that after a few months of sessions, your well-being improves significantly. The key is to understand that if you are committed to this process of change, harmful behavior patterns can be unlearned and go the same way they came.
If you are interested in psychological intervention services for anxiety related to bruxism, I invite you to contact me, either for face-to-face sessions in Madrid or for online sessions by video call.
Bibliographic references
- American Psychiatric Association -APA- (2014). DSM-5. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Madrid: Pan American.
- Lobbezoo, F.; van der Zaag, J.; van Selms, MK; Hamburger, HL; Naeije, M. (2008). Principles for the management of bruxism. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 35(7): pp. 509 – 523.
- Lobbezzo, F. (2013). Bruxism defined and graded: an international consensus. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 40 (1): 2–4.
- Manfredini D, Winocur E, Guarda-Nardini L, Paesani D, Lobbezoo F (2013). Epidemiology of bruxism in adults: a systematic review of the literature. Journal of * * * * Orofacial Pain. 27(2): pp. 101-1 99 – 110 .
- Manfredini, D.; Lobbezoo, F. (2010). Relationship between bruxism and temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review of literature from 1998 to 2008. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics. 109(6): pp. e26–50.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.