You may not realise it, but your personality type could be linked to your teeth-grinding habit. Research suggests that people with a ‘Type A’ personality are more prone to bruxism than those with ‘Type B’ – and this could be causing serious damage to your oral health.
Your personality type can dictate whether you have this common night-time habit
Personality type theories
Personality type categories help us to understand ourselves better, as we discover what motivates and controls different groups of people.
Type A was discovered by accident by two cardiologists as they were researching the possible causes of coronary disease. Friedman and Rosenman found that certain types of behaviour carried a higher risk of future illness. Type A was associated with a high risk of heart disease. It has also been linked to other stress-related conditions including bruxism.
What is a Type A personality?
Categorising personalities into ‘Type A’ and ‘Type B’ is a method that scientists have used over the years to help describe personalities. This categorisation is generally more of a spectrum, with plenty of people having a mix of both type A and B traits.
People that have a type A personality generally experience a higher level of stress. They have a constant feeling of working against the clock and have a strong sense of competitiveness.
People with a Type A personality are often characterised as being:
- Competitive
- Multi-taskers
- Highly organised
- Ambitious
- Focused on work/reaching goals
- Stressed when confronted with delays that affect success
The link between personality and bruxism
A 2010 study by the National Institute on Aging explored the relationship between personality traits and teeth-grinding. 470 participants were given a comprehensive oral examination by a dentist, and completed both dental history and personality questionnaires.
The study showed that people with neuroticism-related traits were more likely to display signs of teeth-grinding. This included those who had a markedly negative emotional response to frustration or threat, and those who were sensitive to criticism. Other similar studies have shown that bruxism is likely to affect people with overly aggressive, competitive, or hurried personalities.
Can it be fixed?
It’s practically impossible to change your personality type. But the ways in which you cope with stress or anxiety can be adjusted to help you stop grinding your teeth. The effects of bruxism can be damaging and long-lasting, so it’s a good idea to put a halt to the symptoms early.
It’s important to try to address the root cause of your behaviour first – self-help books can often be a useful first step. Some people find that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helps to lessen anxiety, and in turn, helps to improve the symptoms of teeth-grinding.
In the meantime, using a mouthguard can stop the dental damage caused by bruxism. The Bruxeeze Night Guard is a mouthguard you wear while you sleep. It protects all of your teeth from the impact of grinding and clenching, and can be worn on the upper or lower teeth. The guard contains a soft inner layer for comfort, and a durable outer later for protection against wear and tear caused by teeth-grinding.
Using a mouth guard
In the meantime, using a mouthguard can stop the dental damage caused by bruxism. Bruxeeze offers both self-fit and custom-fit options. They work by preventing your upper and lower teeth from grinding against each other.
Custom-fit
Bruxeeze Pro Extra Night Guard – The perfect option to treat moderate-to-heavy bruxing. This 3mm guard features a hard outer layer for protection, and soft inner layer for comfort.
Bruxeeze Pro Night Guard – Twice the thickness of the Slim Fit, the Pro provides heavy-duty protection from the impact of teeth grinding and clenching with a thickness of 3mm.
Bruxeeze Slim Fit Night Guard – Ideal for first-time wearers and mild bruxers. 1.5mm thick with a discreet and almost invisible fit.
Self-fit
Bruxeeze Self Fit Night Guard – Get immediate and effective relief from teeth grinding symptoms. This guard is easily moulded at home to fit your teeth in under 5 minutes.
For more information about the effects of bruxism, visit our Causes and Symptoms page.