Will sleep bruxism go away on its own?
Why is treatment necessary? Can it be left untreated, or will it cause permanent damage to the teeth?
The severity and frequency of sleep bruxism vary from person to person. The same goes for the factors that contribute to the persistence of the condition. The root cause behind bruxism is unknown, but there have been several reports that show a link between stress and sleep bruxism. Increased anxiety, tension, and other emotion can also contribute to bruxism.
In severe cases, or when teeth grinding during sleep happens very frequently, treatment might be necessary to prevent damage to one’s teeth, jaw, and other parts of the mouth. When left unchecked, sleep bruxism can weaken your teeth, cause headaches and tooth loss, and even lead to jaw disorders.
Determining whether sleep bruxism will go away on its own can be tricky since this condition is likely to be linked to other sleep issues like sleep apnea. If you are experiencing other symptoms along with sleep bruxism, it’s best to consult with your doctor who can facilitate the necessary steps to confirm whether you have sleep apnea as well. In that case, treatment through the use of a mouthguard or sleep apnea oral appliance could be prescribed.