Definition
Bruxism is gnashing or clenching of the teeth, which is holding tight your upper and lower tooth together and sliding back and forth over each other. It is characterized by habitual grinding of the teeth and is typically accompanied by the clenching of the jaw. It is an oral parafunctional activity that occurs in most humans and is mild enough not to cause any health problems. In some people it is severe enough to cause discomfort and seek treatment. Bruxism can be diurnal or nocturnal in nature and bruxism during sleep causes most of the health issues. It is one of the most common sleep disorders.
Causes
Bruxism is a subconscious process and during sleep the subconscious processes become active, while the higher control is inactive, resulting in bruxism. People clench or grind the teeth without being aware of it during the day or night, although sleep-related bruxism is often the bigger problem as it is harder to control. There are several factors contributing to bruxism and these factors depend from individual to individual.
1. Daily stress.
2. Misalignment of tooth and oral structures.
3. Diet.
4. Posture.
5. Ability to relax.
6. Sleeping habits and comfort.
Signs
In most people bruxism does not cause problems and in about 5% individuals it develops symptoms such as jaw pain and headaches, which requires treatment. Bruxism can result in abnormal wear patterns of the grinding surface of the tooth and also causes abrasions and fractures of the teeth. This is also called as occlusal trauma. It also causes significant tooth loss and gum recession. In most of the cases, the canines and incisors of the opposing arches are moved against each other laterally. This movement abrades tooth structure and can lead to the wearing down of the incisal edges of the teeth. People with bruxism may also grind their posterior teeth, which will wear down the cusps of the occlusal surface.
Symptoms
Clenching the teeth puts pressure on the muscles, tissues, and other structures around the jaw. The symptoms can cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems. Patients may present with a variety of symptoms, that includes
1. Anxiety, stress, and tension
2. Depression
3. Ear ache
4. Tooth sensitivity.
5. Eating disorders
6. Headache
7. Insomnia
8. Sore or painful jaw
Sequelae
Bruxism shortens and blunts the teeth by grinding, which reduces the vertical height of the teeth that leads to myofascial muscle pain, eating disorders, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, headaches, insomnia etc.
Exams and Tests
An examination can rule out other disorders that may cause similar jaw pain or ear pain, including:
1. Dental decay and other disorders.
2. Ear disorders such as ear infections
3. Problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
Treatment
Bruxism may be reduced or eliminated when the associated causative factors are treated successfully. The goals of the treatment are to prevent damage to the teeth, reduce pain, and reduce clenching as much as possible. These can be accomplished by
1. Avoid eating hard foods like nuts, candies, steak.
2. Drink plenty of water every day.
3. Get plenty of sleep.
4. Relax your face and jaw muscles throughout the day, promote facial relaxation.
5. Physical therapy stretching exercises to help restore a normal balance to the action of the muscles and joints on each side of the head.
6. Massage the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and face.
7. Try to reduce your daily stress and learn relaxation techniques.
8. Wearing of mouth guards and splints during night.
9. Nociceptive trigeminal inhibitor.
10. Biofeedback devices.
11. Dietary supplements which reduces the causes of bruxism.
12. Repairing damage to the tooth.
Bruxism Complications
1. It can cause permanent damage to the teeth and uncomfortable jaw pain, headaches, or ear pain.
2. Depression
3. Increased dental or TMJ problems.
4. Nightly grinding can awaken roommates and sleeping partners.
Hope you got an idea on how to deal with a case of bruxism.
Bruxism is gnashing or clenching of the teeth, which is holding tight your upper and lower tooth together and sliding back and forth over each other. It is characterized by habitual grinding of the teeth and is typically accompanied by the clenching of the jaw. It is an oral parafunctional activity that occurs in most humans and is mild enough not to cause any health problems. In some people it is severe enough to cause discomfort and seek treatment. Bruxism can be diurnal or nocturnal in nature and bruxism during sleep causes most of the health issues. It is one of the most common sleep disorders.
Causes
Bruxism is a subconscious process and during sleep the subconscious processes become active, while the higher control is inactive, resulting in bruxism. People clench or grind the teeth without being aware of it during the day or night, although sleep-related bruxism is often the bigger problem as it is harder to control. There are several factors contributing to bruxism and these factors depend from individual to individual.
1. Daily stress.
2. Misalignment of tooth and oral structures.
3. Diet.
4. Posture.
5. Ability to relax.
6. Sleeping habits and comfort.
Signs
In most people bruxism does not cause problems and in about 5% individuals it develops symptoms such as jaw pain and headaches, which requires treatment. Bruxism can result in abnormal wear patterns of the grinding surface of the tooth and also causes abrasions and fractures of the teeth. This is also called as occlusal trauma. It also causes significant tooth loss and gum recession. In most of the cases, the canines and incisors of the opposing arches are moved against each other laterally. This movement abrades tooth structure and can lead to the wearing down of the incisal edges of the teeth. People with bruxism may also grind their posterior teeth, which will wear down the cusps of the occlusal surface.
Symptoms
Clenching the teeth puts pressure on the muscles, tissues, and other structures around the jaw. The symptoms can cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems. Patients may present with a variety of symptoms, that includes
1. Anxiety, stress, and tension
2. Depression
3. Ear ache
4. Tooth sensitivity.
5. Eating disorders
6. Headache
7. Insomnia
8. Sore or painful jaw
Sequelae
Bruxism shortens and blunts the teeth by grinding, which reduces the vertical height of the teeth that leads to myofascial muscle pain, eating disorders, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, headaches, insomnia etc.
Exams and Tests
An examination can rule out other disorders that may cause similar jaw pain or ear pain, including:
1. Dental decay and other disorders.
2. Ear disorders such as ear infections
3. Problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
Treatment
Bruxism may be reduced or eliminated when the associated causative factors are treated successfully. The goals of the treatment are to prevent damage to the teeth, reduce pain, and reduce clenching as much as possible. These can be accomplished by
1. Avoid eating hard foods like nuts, candies, steak.
2. Drink plenty of water every day.
3. Get plenty of sleep.
4. Relax your face and jaw muscles throughout the day, promote facial relaxation.
5. Physical therapy stretching exercises to help restore a normal balance to the action of the muscles and joints on each side of the head.
6. Massage the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and face.
7. Try to reduce your daily stress and learn relaxation techniques.
8. Wearing of mouth guards and splints during night.
9. Nociceptive trigeminal inhibitor.
10. Biofeedback devices.
11. Dietary supplements which reduces the causes of bruxism.
12. Repairing damage to the tooth.
Bruxism Complications
1. It can cause permanent damage to the teeth and uncomfortable jaw pain, headaches, or ear pain.
2. Depression
3. Increased dental or TMJ problems.
4. Nightly grinding can awaken roommates and sleeping partners.
Hope you got an idea on how to deal with a case of bruxism.
No comments:
Post a Comment