Having bruxism or grinding in your teeth are the common side effects of using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Most people have one question, and this is whether side effects of grinding or bruxism are reduced if they do not take SSRIs. It is very important to understand the relationship between SSRIs and bruxism.
After reading this article, you can get details about bruxism and its causes and learn tips to reduce its symptoms. The main thing is that if you understand the connection between SSRI and bruxism, or does bruxism from SSRI go away?
Understanding Bruxism and SSRI
When you grind or clench your teeth, this condition is called bruxism. This occurs mostly at night when you are sleeping. It produces pain in the jaw and becomes the reason for headaches and damage to your teeth. People who follow medication, like fluoxetine or sertraline have various side effects.
Doctors can prescribe SSRIs to treat conditions like depression and anxiety. Mostly, they are effective for many people, but these medicines have some side effects, including bruxism.
Common SSRI Medications
Some of the most common SSRI medications that can cause bruxism include:
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
How SSRIs Can Cause Bruxism?
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors that are used as antidepressant medications. They work by increasing the level of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that helps to maintain mood, sleep, and other body functions.
As you know, SSRIs are the best medicine to treat stress and anxiety, but they can cause unintended side effects, including bruxism. Many people believe that SSRIs manage the neurotransmitter in the brain, which can lead to changes in muscle activity.
A theory proves that these drugs inhibit the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that reduces muscle activity; with less GABA, muscles might move on their own, like when you grind your teeth. If the intake of SSRI increases, it contributes to bruxism.
Factors Affecting Bruxism Severity and Duration
Individual Sensitivity
It's not proven that everyone who takes SSRIs will experience bruxism. Side effects vary from person to person; some may get serious bruxism symptoms, and some may not have any single symptoms.
Dosage and Medication Type
The severity of bruises also depends on the dosage of the SSRI medication and other ones. Higher doses may increase the risk of side effects, including teeth grinding. In addition, SSRI medication is more likely to cause bruxism.
Duration of SSRI Use
As long as you take an SSRI, the higher the risk of developing bruxism. However, it's important to note that this does not mean everyone who takes SSRI for a long period will face grinding. Most of the patients may suffer from bruxism, and some may not experience it for a long time.
Managing Bruxism from SSRI
Lifestyle Modifications
It is not possible to completely eliminate bruxism, but there are many steps that help to reduce the severe side effects:
- Stress Management: Try different methods to get relaxed, like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing, to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Avoid Stimulants: Reduce the intake of caffeine and alcohol, as the following things can trigger bruxism.
- Healthy Diet: Try to manage a balanced diet that ensures that your body gets the proper nutrients it needs to function.
Dental Devices
Use dental devices, like mouthguards, which provide the best protection for your teeth against damage from bruxism. Your dentist gives you a custom fit mouthguard for your teeth to lower the chance of damage.
Medication Adjustments
If the symptoms of bruxism get severe and have a bad effect on your life, visit your dentist so he can provide details on the usage of SSRI dosage or change the medication. It is important to know if there is any connection between SSRI and bruxism.
Alternative Therapies
Most people find relief from anxiety through various therapies, like:
- Physical Therapy: After visiting the therapist, he will teach you exercises to relax your jaw muscles and improve your posture.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture helps to reduce the pain and improve sleep quality.
When to Seek Professional Help
Usually, it's possible to treat bruxism by doing some helpful techniques at home yourself, or you can also use dental devices like mouthguards, but if you have to face some serious conditions like those given below, then you have to consult with your dentist to get out of this problem.
Severe Bruxism Symptoms
Sometimes, bruxism gets serious, and in this condition, you face more difficulties that totally disturb your daily life activities. You might have to face jaw pain, headaches, or earaches. In this condition, the perfect option for you is to communicate with your dentist. They first understand your condition well and recommend the best treatment.
Persistent Jaw Pain
If you are using helpful techniques or other medicines that are used to reduce the pain but still there is no reduction in pain instead, it's getting worse over time in this condition, it's most important to consult with your dentist to treat it well; otherwise, it can cause serious issues for you.
Tooth Damage
Usually, bruxism gets well with simple, helpful techniques, but sometimes, it can start causing issues that make it difficult for you to eat, meaning your teeth start getting weak or broken.
Long-Term Outlook and Recovery
Gradual Improvement
Mostly, bruxism happens due to some common issues such as stress, anxiety, or also due to the overuse of medication, and if you don't avoid these things, it will get more serious. So to get out of this problem, you have to avoid bad habits and consider using dental devices and the normal dosage of medication. This can help you reduce bruxism and keep yourself safe.
Potential for Complete Resolution
Usually, many people get out of problems like bruxism by getting the right treatment, but some might get minor improvements because they didn't take it seriously. To get out of this problem permanently, you have to do some techniques.
Prevention Tips
To prevent future episodes of bruxism, consider the following tips:
- Manage Stress: Stress is a big cause of bruxism, which is why it's important to keep yourself relaxed and avoid stress. You can do this by doing some helpful techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing. They can calm your mind and body.
- Maintain Good Oral Health: To avoid dental problems like bruxism, it is very important to keep your teeth clean, so make sure to clean your teeth two times a day and also go for a check-up with your dentist regularly.
- Avoid Grinding Your Teeth During the Day: Some people have a bad habit of grinding teeth at times when they are focused or stressed. This can also increase the chances of bruxism, so avoid such bad habits.
Conclusion
Some people take SSRI medication on a regular basis as they are good, but they also cause some problems that can cause difficulties for them in their daily life activities. Usually, it cannot end completely, but you can make it better and reduce its effect by doing some helpful things, such as you have to avoid bad habits like teeth grinding, using mouthguards, and, in some cases, medication adjustments.