Have you or a loved one been grinding their teeth excessively? If you answered yes, you may have bruxism. Patients with bruxism grind or clench their teeth compulsively and frequently. Bruxism, if left untreated, can destroy your teeth, jaw muscles, and TMJ. Advanced Dental treatments and therapies, on the other hand, can readily cure it. Continue reading Our Blog by Eugene Dentist to learn more.
Different Types Of Bruxism
Awake Bruxism
Awake bruxism is when your jaw and teeth are clenched during the day. It usually occurs as a result of emotional stress, anxiety, or rage.
Bruxism during sleep or bruxism during night
Sleep bruxism is the grinding and clenching of teeth while sleeping. You are usually oblivious of the clenching and force you apply to your teeth when sleeping. As a result, this is a more serious condition.
Bruxism Signs and Symptoms
It’s possible that you’re unaware of your nocturnal teeth grinding. In that case, keep an eye out for the following bruxism symptoms:-
- The sound of the jaw locking, snapping, or clicking.
- Teeth clenching loud enough to wake you up.
- Your teeth’s wear and tear.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Pain in your teeth and jaw While eating
- The deeper layer of teeth exposed due to enamel erosion.
- Teeth that are painful, sensitive, and loose.
- Teeth fractures.
- Facial Pain or Headaches in the morning.
- TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disease is a condition that affects the jaw joint.
- Pain in the ears.
- Muscle pain in the jaw.
Bruxism’s Causes
Bruxism can be brought on by a number of circumstances. Some of the most common causes are as follows:-
Unhealthy Habits of Life
Teeth grinding can also be caused by poor behaviours such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, taking drugs, or ingesting too much caffeine. These practises have a negative impact on your brain and cardiovascular system.
Disorders of Sleeping
Many sleep bruxism cases are caused by brain activity during sleep, such as dreaming and sleep disturbances. One of the most prevalent sleep disorders that causes sleep bruxism is sleep apnea.
Tensions Emotional
Both sleep and awake bruxism are caused by emotional stress such as anxiety, tension, rage, and irritation. When trying to concentrate, some people are accustomed to grinding their teeth.
Medications
Medications can cause bruxism as well. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors are one of them. It is an anti-anxiety medication. Antidepressants such as paroxetine and fluoxetine might cause tooth grinding as well.
A Negative Mental State
You may grind your teeth at any time of day or night if you are stressed, anxious, or furious most of the time.
Children of a Young Age
Children are prone to bruxism. Teeth grinding affects two to three children in every ten. When your children become older, this problem usually goes away. However, if you notice any symptoms, you should consult your dentist.
Type of Personality
Individuals that are hyperactive, aggressive, or competitive are more likely to develop bruxism. This is because one of its triggers is emotional strain.
Substance Abuse, Medication, and Drugs
You are at a significant risk of developing bruxism if you are hooked to recreational substances, smoking, or drinking alcohol. Antidepressant and anti-anxiety drugs raise your risk as well.
History of the Family
You’re more likely to have it if anyone in your family has a history of teeth grinding or jaw clenching. Bruxism is frequently passed down the generations.
Mental Illness
Dementia, reflux disease, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy are among conditions that might cause tooth grinding during sleeping.
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Bruxism diagnosis
Bruxism can be identified through your symptoms and a physical examination. Your healthcare practitioner may, however, recommend a sleep study to achieve a definitive conclusion. It’s done in a sleep center with the help of cutting-edge technology.
Treatment of Bruxism
Braces
Braces are a tried-and-true approach to correct malocclusion, which causes teeth grinding. Braces straighten mismatched teeth by gradually applying pressure to them.
Invisalign
Invisalign works in the same way that traditional braces do, yet they are nearly undetectable to others. These are a set of clear, custom-made aligners that must be replaced every few weeks.
Nightguard
Individuals that are hyperactive, aggressive, or competitive are more likely to develop bruxism. This is because one of its triggers is emotional strain.
Other therapy that can be used to treat bruxism include:-
Stress Reduction
If stress is the cause of your teeth grinding, lowering your stress levels may provide relief. It’s impossible to be stress-free. However, you can control your negative reaction to a stressful event.
Medication
Medications can help control clenching of the jaw and teeth to some extent. These medications aid in the reduction of muscular activation. Botox can also be used to treat severe cases of bruxism.
Conclusion
Dental and other advanced therapies can either eliminate or reduce the symptoms of teeth grinding. Depending on the core cause of bruxism, current science offers a variety of treatment options. As a result, as soon as you suspect bruxism, you should seek medical help.