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Bruxism - Bruxism symptom, treatment, causes

Bruxism is the Gnashing/grinding of teeth in sleep. Bruxism is common among malnourished children, and children with worm infestation. In older children, teenagers and young adults, Bruxism is seen as an indication of stress.

Bruxism is when you clench or grind your teeth. Bruxism causes chips in the teeth, wear of the biting surface, abfractions and cracks in the teeth. This type of dental damage is diagnosed as occlusal disease. This condition affects both kids and adults. Some people with bruxism unconsciously clench their teeth together during the day, often when they feel anxious or tense. There is some evidence that emotional or physical stress can lead to nocturnal teeth grinding, which may be a way to relieve tension. Clenching means you tightly hold your top and bottom teeth together, especially the back teeth. Clenching puts pressure on the muscles, tissues, and other structures around your jaw. This can lead to jaw pain and soreness, headaches, earaches, damaged teeth, and other problems. Although this habit is unintentional, oral health specialists often point to excessive stress and certain personality types as typical causes of bruxism. Damage to the teeth can be so severe that it renders the teeth useless. Nocturnal bruxism occurs in an estimated 5% to 20% of adults and is even more prevalent among children. In fact, most patients with bruxism develop it in adolescence or early adulthood. About one in three people suffer from bruxism, which can easily be treated by a dentist.

Bruxism often occurs in the early part of the night and can disturb sleep partners. Many dentists wrongly believe that occlusal disease is a natural part of aging and fail to recognize that tooth wear is preventable and is caused by bruxism. Bruxism is one of the most common sleep disorders: thirty to forty million Americans grind their teeth on a nightly basis. Bruxism often affects persons with nervous tension such as anger, pain, or frustration, and/or persons with aggressive, hurried, or overly competitive tendencies. However, bruxism can affect adults for an indefinite period of time. People who are aggressive, competitive and hurried also may be at a greater risk for bruxism. Adults with bruxism have increased occurrence of grinding during times of job, family, or health stress. All forms of bruxism entail forceful contact between the biting surfaces of the upper and lower teeth. Bruxism is the number one cause of occlusal disease and a significant cause of tooth loss. Some drugs are known to cause bruxism as a side-effect, e.g. MDMA and others of the amphetamine -based family. In most cases, bruxism is mild and may not even require treatment. Usually, kids don't need to do anything about bruxism. But if it's causing you pain or other problems, the dentist might give you something called a night guard.

Causes of Bruxism

The common causes and risk factor's of Bruxism include the following:

• The exact cause of bruxism is unknown.
• Anxiety, stress or tension.
• Aggressive, competitive or hyperactive personality type.
• In some cases, bruxism isn't caused by stress or dental problems.
• Family member with bruxism.
• Abuse of drugs or alcohol-especially methamphetamines.
• Using caffeine, tobacco, cocaine or amphetamines seems to increase the risk of bruxism.

Symptoms of Bruxism

Some sign and symptoms related to Bruxism are as follows:

• Teeth grinding or clenching, which may be loud enough to wake your sleep partner.
• Teeth that are worn down, flattened or chipped.
• Chronic facial pain.
• Sore or painful jaw.
• Anxiety, stress, and tension.
• Insomnia, depression, eating disorders.
• Headaches.
• Tongue indentations.
• Damage to the inside of the cheek.

Treatment of Bruxism

Here is list of the methods to treat Bruxism:

• Massage the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and face. Search carefully for small, painful nodules called trigger points that can refer pain throughout the head and face.
• Apply ice or wet heat to sore jaw muscles. Either can have a beneficial effect.
• Relaxation therapies may reduce stress associated with habitual grinding.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• A specially-fitted plastic mouth appliance may be worn at night to absorb the force of biting. This appliance may help to prevent future damage to the teeth and aid in changing the patient's behavior.
• Drink plenty of water every day.
• Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections may help some people with severe bruxism that hasn't responded to other treatments.