Question

Detailed medical condition and consultation purpose: Does nighttime grinding teeth run in the family? Current situation: Both I and my father, as well as my 5-year-old son, grind our teeth while sleeping. I and my father work at the same factory. Is bruxism a disease? Does it run in the family?

Answer

Hello: Bruxism has complex causes, including psychological, emotional, dental, systemic, occupational, and spontaneous factors.

  1. Psychological and Emotional Factors: Stress can increase the tension of the masseter muscles, especially in anxious individuals who may try to grind their teeth as a way to alleviate inner depression. Such patients have prolonged and frequent tooth contact. The mouth is a strongly emotional organ, and some people choose to grind their teeth as an oral habit to satisfy repressed desires and wishes. Additionally, psychological setbacks can also lead to clenching and grinding.
  2. Disruption of Central Nervous System Control: Bruxism is an involuntary subconscious action that is a response to the loss of high-level central nervous system regulation. When people fall asleep, due to controlled activity of the cerebral cortex, subconscious masseter reflexes increase, and the rhythm of muscle tension and contraction changes significantly, leading to clenching and grinding activities; upon waking up, grinding is controlled.
  3. Occlusal Factors: Bruxism is closely related to occlusal factors; when there is a high occlusion or occlusal interference,