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Can Teeth Grinding Actually Cause Parasites?
by Dylan Hao |
You make sure you cook your chicken in a parasite-free way. You don’t eat raw eggs, even in cookie dough (although you’re always tempted). And you double wash your fresh produce, even if the label says it’s already been cleaned.
But then you heard (or read) someone say that now it might be possible to get parasites from grinding your teeth? Say it isn’t so!
Is there a link between bruxism and parasites? If so, can teeth grinding actually cause these little dangerous microorganisms to infest your body?
What’s real and what’s fear-mongering myth? Let’s deep dive into the world of parasites and bruxism here.
What Comes First, the Parasite or the Grinding?
While myths may claim that grinding your teeth can lead to parasites, science states that it’s the opposite. Many bruxism-related cases happen because the grinder had parasites to begin with.
When most people think of parasites, they envision them in soil, water, or animals. But humans can pick up these organisms, too, and they’re most commonly found in children.
This statistic makes sense when you think of little ones making mud pies (dirt and soil) and not washing their hands before putting fingers in their mouths. Then there’s the prevalence of lice on the heads of elementary school children (6-12 million infestations per year, according to the CDC).
Connecting Teeth Grinding to Parasites
How does having lice or another parasite connect with grinding your teeth? One study published in the Dental Research Journal explains it, and we’ve summarized that information here.
Bruxism, defined as the “nonfunctional, mostly nocturnal, grinding or clenching of teeth during sleep,” is an oral habit that millions of people have.
Children often exhibit these behaviors while awake and asleep. The symptoms are frequently overlooked because they’re mistaken for ADHD.
In this particular study, 3 to 6-year-old children were compared. The results showed that 19 out of 100 (nearly 1 in 5) children with grinding also had parasites. Both bruxism and parasites are causes for concern — over time, grinding and clenching can erode teeth, and parasites can bring disease.
So, why do children grind so frequently, sometimes to the point that the dental pulp is in danger?
Parasites and Toxins
Researchers believe it is related to local and psychological factors. Common causes of bruxism include:
- Intestinal parasites
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Allergies
- Hormone disturbances
Parasite-related bruxism is attributed to the Enterobius vermicularis and Giardia lamblia strains. The infestation releases metabolites that act as toxins to the host (child).
The resulting uncomfortable symptoms, including nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea, increase anxiety and stress. The toxins released may also cause a parasitic infection, leading to muscle spasms and interfering with neurotransmitters. All of these effects are linked with bruxism.
Why Bruxism is a Big Deal
Teeth grinding might sound like an annoyance more than anything, but it can turn into a moderate or severe sleep disorder that causes significant harm to your body.
When you clench your jaw and grind, you create pressure on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the delicate hinge that lets the jaw move. An inflamed or displaced TMJ leads to pain in the muscles and tendons connected to it, including the neck and shoulders.
The side effects of grinding directly impact the teeth and gums. Pressure from clenching erodes the enamel, wearing away the protective layer that keeps the tooth nerve from being exposed.
Long-term bruxism results in:
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Cracks and fractures
- Other dental issues
But the damage doesn’t stop there.
Left untreated, bruxism also causes:
- Headaches
- Neck and jaw pain
- Ear disorders
- Chronic fatigue
- Overworked jaw muscles
This sleep-related disorder can impact the immune system and is also linked to health conditions like chronic inflammation, obstructive sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease.
Although the study above only evaluated children, the correlation to adults is clear: if you’re a bruxer, parasites may be causing your grinding. But before you worry about an infestation in your body, let’s look at what parasites are and how you can tell if you have them.
What Exactly Are Parasites?
Parasites are organisms that require a host to survive. They can live on, in, or with their host, but the relationship isn’t symbiotic. Instead, the parasite feeds, grows, and multiplies in a way that endangers the health of the other organism.
Since the host is necessary for the parasite's survival, they rarely kill the host. However, the diseases carried by these organisms can be deadly.
Understanding Parasites
There are three main types of parasites:
- Ectoparasites: These organisms, called vectors, live outside the host and carry infection through the blood. Examples are lice, fleas, mice, and ticks. Vectors carry diseases between humans and animals and feed on blood.
- Helminths: These are parasitic worms that live in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including flatworms, tapeworms, and roundworms, creating intestinal parasitic infections. Flatworms spread through contaminated water or aquatic animals. Tapeworm eggs are passed through undercooked meat or infected food and water. Roundworms spread through feces or soil. Hookworms are a common type of roundworm.
- Protozoans: These one-celled organisms are invisible without a microscope and can live almost anywhere. Humans are mostly affected by amoebas and ciliates, which cause dysentery, flagellates (linked with sleeping sickness), and sporozoans (malaria). Protozoans are spread through contaminated food or water, contact between people, or a vector.
When it comes to bruxism, the intestinal parasitic roundworms, better known as pinworms, are the culprits to focus on.
How Can You Prevent Pinworms?
Pinworms are the most common intestinal worm infection in America and one of the top public health issues worldwide. These thin, white parasites can measure ¼ to ½ inches long and are usually seen in school-age children.
The presence of parasites like pinworms isn’t always visible. You might not know if you (or your child) has pinworms until you notice restless sleep and the uncomfortable symptom of itching in the area around the anus.
This spot is the preferred location for female pinworms to lay their eggs while the infected person is asleep. Because the symptoms are minor, spreading the eggs person-to-person is easy.
Cleanliness Brings Pinworm-Free Living
But the good news is that pinworms are easily preventable with good hygiene. If you regularly wash your hands with hot water and use a clean toothbrush, you’re already on the right track.
Pinworm spread can also be reduced by trimming your nails, limiting the dirt and bacteria that hold sticky eggs. Scratching the itchy skin transfers the eggs, but shorter nails give the eggs less area to hold onto.
To reduce pinworm concerns, be sure to wash your bedding and clothes in hot water regularly. If you have pets, don’t worry! You can’t “catch” pinworms from your animals or pass them to your furry family members.
Is My Bruxism Pinworm-Related?
If you have bruxism and you’re reading this, you’re already wondering if your grinding habits are more than stress-related. Could your nighttime clenching and grinding be caused by microscopic invaders?
The good news is that there are many causes of teeth grinding that are more likely than a parasite.
Bruxism is a sleep disorder most commonly linked with stress and anxiety. But that doesn’t mean your situation definitely isn’t pinworm-related.
Symptoms of a Pinworm Infection
If you do have a pinworm infection, you’ll have other symptoms in addition to grinding, such as:
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Itching in the anal or vaginal areas
- Insomnia and fatigue
- Restlessness
- Irritability
- Gas or bloating
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea or a change in stool
- Skin rashes
Pinworms prefer to stay in the digestive system. However, the toxins they produce can trigger inflammation and immune responses that affect the rest of the body via the vagus nerve, which connects to the brain.
This vagal stimulation could be part of the reason people with pinworms grind their teeth and clench their jaw muscles.
Not everyone with pinworms develops these symptoms, which may last 2-6 weeks. Even after the symptoms disappear, they can return if you don’t get rid of the infection.
What to Do If You Think Your Bruxism is Caused By Pinworms
Concerned that your grinding might be pinworm-related? Don’t wait for the visible symptoms to find out if you’re right.
Instead, head to the doctor for help. Your healthcare provider may require stool samples to rule out or determine the presence of parasites.
In the meantime, protect your teeth from the damage of clenching and grinding by wearing a JS Dental Lab custom-fit night guard.
This oral device is part of most bruxism treatment plans. It keeps your upper and lower teeth from touching (grinding) while you sleep. Not only will you get better rest and avoid further dental damage, but you’ll have the mental clarity to deal with the underlying cause of your bruxism.
Conclusion
Digestive parasites — or any kind of parasite — are never something we want to deal with. But if you or your child has an infestation of worms, there’s also a chance that sleep bruxism is involved. It's hard to get quality rest between the itching and vagus nerve irritation.
Although we can’t help with the parasites, our experts at JS Dental Lab can make the bruxism side effect easier to deal with. Put a stop to grinding-related symptoms with a professional night guard, and focus on getting to the root cause today.
