Are You Sleeping with a Gnasher?

Does your partner's teeth grinding and gnashing wake you up at night? Don't just grit yours and wear earplugs. Insist he or she see a dentist. Not putting a stop to the grind now could cost plenty in dental bills later. Your bedmate, like most nighttime jaw clenchers and tooth grinders, is probably unaware of this nocturnal activity and the damage it's doing. And those morning complaints about headaches and jaw pains? Yup, both are common effects of what docs call bruxism.

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Dentists estimate that about 1 in 3 people, including kids, are "bruxers" and about 8% do it in their sleep. Nighttime teeth grinders tend to be daytime nail biters and pen chewers, or people who gnaw on the insides of their cheeks. What's with that?

Experts say in some people it's all caused by tension or stress, especially in aggressive, competitive types. In others, it may be an unconscious expression of anger, pain, or frustration. While most of us probably contract our jaw muscles a little during sleep, bruxers do it better -- harder and more often. Certain antidepressants, alcohol, caffeine, and the street drug ecstasy trigger grinding in some people. In others, it could be a bonafide sleep disorder with a genetic link.

The bad news: There's no permanent cure. The good news: One of the following remedies will almost certainly prevent damage to your partner's teeth -- and your relationship. (Hey, you can only go semi-sleepless for so long!) Try these options under the direction of an expert, such as a dentist who specializes in TMJ disorders:

• Mouth guards or bite pads. These nighttime appliances that fit over the teeth may not stop the motion, but they will protect the teeth from further damage. Since these soft plastic or rubber guards must fit snugly, a custom-made one may be well worth the investment. The one-size-fits-most types sold in drugstores are cheaper, but may or may not work.
• Relaxation techniques. (meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis): Learning to relax your chewing muscles when you're awake may reduce their activity when you're asleep. Take the tension from your jaw with this relaxation exercise.
• Botox. Yep, Botox. In a recent year-long study, it was injected into the muscle that clenches the teeth. It improved symptoms in all 120 teeth grinders and had no side effects.
• Talk therapy. It will help ease anxiety and emotional distress.
• Cardio exercise, acupuncture, massage. Any or all may help, perhaps because of their relaxing aftereffects.
• Drugs. Muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and beta blockers bring relief in some people. Clonidine, a drug for high blood pressure, also helps, but it may interfere with normal sleep patterns.