Bruxism is a condition where patients grind or clench their teeth, often without realising it. While it can occur during the day, it is most commonly linked to sleep. Sleep bruxism is classified as a sleep-related movement disorder and may contribute to tooth wear, jaw pain, headaches, and poor sleep quality.
Bruxism can occur on its own, but it is also frequently associated with other sleep disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnoea. Accurate assessment is therefore important to distinguish between primary bruxism and bruxism that is secondary to another condition.
During polysomnography (PSG), bruxism can be detected through electromyography (EMG) recordings of the jaw muscles, which capture the rhythmic or sustained muscle activity that indicates grinding or clenching events. Stowood’s diagnostic systems support clinicians in identifying bruxism during sleep studies, helping to inform treatment pathways and improve patient outcomes.
