Sleep bruxism

Bruxism mainly occurs in stage 2 sleep and REM sleep (Bader et ah, 1977). A relationship to stress and anxiety has been suggested, but the disorder can be chronic without apparent association with stress (Faulkner, 1990 Pierce et ah, 1995). It has been suggested that the central dopaminergic system may be involved in the modulation of sleep bruxism (Lobbezoo et al., 1997). Case reports indicate that bruxism can be induced by the SSRI paroxetine (Romanelli et al., 1996). The mechanism remains unclear possibilities include sleep disturbance, serotonergic-mediated inhibition of dopamine manifesting as akathisia, and SSRI-induced anxiety. SSRI-induced bruxism may respond to therapy with buspirone (Ellison et al., 1993). 

Sleep bruxism is fairly common and characterized by clenching of the jaw and/or grinding of the teeth during sleep without the person s awareness. It is estimated that 5% to 20% of the population shows some form of sleep bruxism. 

Lavigne GJ, Montplaisir J (1994). Restless legs syndrome and sleep bruxism prevalence and association among Canadians. Sleep 17 739-743... 

Parasomnias are characterized by undesirable physical or behavioral phenomena that occur during sleep [e.g., sleepwalking, sleep talking, bruxism (grinding of teeth), enuresis, night terrors, and RBD]. RBD patients act out their dreams during sleep, often in a violent manner. 

Sleep disturbance due to parasomnias, such as sleepwalking, sleep terrors, bruxism (teeth grinding), and enuresis (bedwetting). Note that family members may need to provide history about these behaviors, which are... 

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