Bruxism
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)?
Bruxism (teeth clenching) is a condition in which an individual clenches, grinds, or presses their teeth together. Individuals with bruxism (teeth grinding) may unconsciously clench their teeth while awake or clench or grind their teeth during sleep.
Sleep bruxism (teeth grinding) is normally considered a sleep-related movement disorder. It has been observed that individuals who clench or grind their teeth during sleep are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring and pauses in breathing, i.e. sleep apnea .
Mild cases of bruxism may not require any treatment. However, in some individuals , bruxism can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth, and other problems.
to realize that he or she has sleep bruxism (teeth grinding) until various complications develop, knowing the signs and symptoms of bruxism (teeth grinding ) and maintaining regular dental care is important for the individual's oral and dental health.
Reasons
What Causes Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)?
Medical experts have not determined exactly what causes bruxism (teeth grinding), but they think it is caused by a combination of genetic, physical and psychological factors .
In many cases, awake bruxism (teeth grinding) may be caused by emotions such as anxiety , stress, anger, frustration, or tension. In addition, it may have developed as a coping strategy or a habit during a period when the individual was in deep concentration .
Sleep bruxism (teeth grinding) may occur due to arousal during sleep or as a result of a sleep-related chewing activity.
Various factors increase an individual's risk of developing bruxism (teeth grinding): Among these factors, stress comes first. Increased anxiety or stress can cause teeth grinding. This may also be due to anger and frustration. Bruxism (teeth grinding), Parkinson's disease, dementia , gastroesophageal It may be associated with some other mental health and medical disorders, such as reflux disorder (GERD), sleep-related disorders such as epilepsy, night terrors, sleep apnea , and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Age is another influencing factor for bruxism (teeth grinding). Bruxism (teeth grinding) is more common in young children, but usually goes away in adulthood.
bruxism (teeth grinding) is high in individuals with an aggressive, competitive or hyperactive personality type .
Bruxism (teeth grinding) can be a rare side effect of psychiatric medications such as some antidepressants . Similarly, smoking, consuming caffeinated beverages, alcohol, or using recreational drugs can increase the risk of bruxism (teeth grinding).
Sleep bruxism (teeth grinding) tends to run in families. It is very likely that individuals with bruxism (teeth grinding) have a family history of bruxism .
What are the complications that may arise with bruxism (teeth grinding)?
In many cases, bruxism (teeth grinding) does not cause serious complications . However, severe bruxism (teeth grinding) can cause damage to the teeth that requires fillings or restorations , tension headaches, and severe pain in the jaw or face. Disorders in the temporomandibular joints, called TMJ in short , in the jaw joints, may cause a clicking sound in the individual's ear when opening and closing his mouth.
symptoms
Bruxism (teeth grinding)?
Bruxism (teeth grinding) can be divided into two different types: sleep bruxism (teeth grinding), if it occurs while the individual is sleeping, and awake bruxism , if it occurs while the individual is awake .
Bruxism (teeth grinding) has various signs and symptoms caused by pressing the teeth together . Signs and symptoms of teeth grinding include:
Grinding teeth loud enough to wake up an individual's sleeping partner
Increasing toothache that becomes clenched together
Tooth sensitivity, cracked, flattened, loose or chipped teeth
Pain in the jaw, neck or face
Tooth enamel worn away enough to expose deeper layers of the tooth
Pain that feels like an ear ache, even though there is no problem in the ear
Mild headache starting in the temples
Sleeping disorder
Damage to the inside of the cheek caused by chewing
Tired or contracted jaw muscles lead to a locked jaw that does not fully open or close.
Individuals who have any of the symptoms listed above or have other teeth or jaw-related concerns should see a dentist or doctor.
Parents who notice that their child has teeth grinding or other signs or symptoms of Bruxism (teeth grinding) should mention it at the child's next dental appointment.
Diagnostic Methods
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding) Diagnosed?
Dentists will also check for possible signs of bruxism (teeth clenching) during regular dental examinations. If the dentist encounters any symptoms, he or she will look for changes in your teeth and mouth over the next few visits to see if the process is progressing and to determine whether the individual needs treatment.
the dentist diagnoses that the individual has bruxism (teeth clenching), he tries to determine the cause of the clenching by asking questions about the individual's general dental health, medications used, daily routines and sleeping habits.
bruxism (teeth grinding), the dentist checks various items to assess the extent of the condition. These checked items include tenderness in the jaw muscles, obvious dental abnormalities such as broken or missing teeth and signs of damage to the teeth and inner cheeks, as well as looking for signs of damage to the underlying jawbone with the help of x-rays. This way, a regular dental exam can detect temporomandibular joint disorders, other dental problems, or other health disorders that may cause similar jaw or ear pain.
Treatment Methods
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)?
In many cases, especially in young children, bruxism (teeth grinding) resolves on its own without the need for any treatment, and adults generally do not clench or grind their teeth badly enough to require therapy . However, in some rare and more severe cases, the underlying cause of bruxism may need to be treated to prevent bruxism .
How to Treat Bruxism (Teeth Clenching)?
Treatment for severe cases of bruxism (teeth grinding) includes specific dental approaches, therapies , and medications to prevent further tooth damage and relieve jaw pain or discomfort. The individual should talk to their dentist or doctor to find out which option is best for them or their child affected by bruxism (teeth clenching).
Various approaches can help relieve bruxism (teeth grinding) in an individual.
whose bruxism (teeth grinding) appears to be associated with greater sleep problems, a doctor may recommend a sleep medicine specialist. The sleep medicine specialist may order a test, such as a sleep study, to evaluate the individual's teeth grinding episodes and determine whether the individual has sleep apnea or other sleep disorders.
teeth grinding appears to be related to anxiety or other similar psychological issues, the doctor may refer the individual to a licensed therapist or counselor. Managing stress or anxiety can help an individual relieve bruxism (teeth grinding). Individuals who clench their teeth due to stress can prevent the problem by learning strategies that encourage relaxation, such as meditation .
an individual discovers that he has bruxism (teeth clenching), he can change his teeth clenching and grinding behavior by applying appropriate and correct mouth and jaw position. The individual can consult a dentist to learn the most appropriate and correct position for his or her mouth .
During the dental treatment process, the doctor may suggest ways to protect or improve the individual's or their child's teeth. Although these methods can prevent or correct tooth wear, they may not stop bruxism itself:
Splints and mouth guards are designed to keep teeth apart to prevent damage from clenching and grinding. Made from hard acrylic or softer materials, these appliances can fit over the upper or lower teeth.
In more severe cases, especially when tooth wear causes tooth sensitivity or the inability to chew properly, the dentist may need to reshape the chewing surfaces of the teeth or perform teeth straightening using crowns to repair the damage.
may benefit from biofeedback, a method that uses monitoring procedures and equipment to teach them to control muscle activity in the jaw .
In general, in most cases medication is not very effective for treating bruxism and more research is needed to determine their effectiveness. However, examples of medications that can be used for bruxism (teeth grinding) in more appropriate cases include primarily muscle relaxants.
In some cases, the doctor may recommend taking a muscle relaxant shortly before bed. The doctor may recommend short-term use of antidepressants or anti- anxiety medications to help cope with stress or other emotional problems that may cause bruxism (teeth grinding) .
an individual develops bruxism (teeth grinding) as a side effect of a medication, the doctor may change the dose of the medication or prescribe a different medication. However, the individual should not change the dose of a medication or stop using it without consulting a doctor.
Gastroesophageal disease as a cause of bruxism (teeth grinding) If an underlying medical condition, such as reflux disease (GERD), is identified, treating that condition may improve bruxism .
Lifestyle Changes and Home Care for Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
Various individual care steps can prevent bruxism in an individual or help treat the condition. For this, the individual must first take steps to reduce stress. Listening to music during the day, taking a warm bath before bed, or exercising can help relax and reduce the risk of developing bruxism (teeth grinding).
Avoiding stimulants in the evening may help the individual. Avoiding caffeinated coffee or tea, especially after dinner, and avoiding alcohol in the evening, as it can worsen bruxism (teeth clenching), may help an individual stop jaw clenching.
The individual should strive to get regular and adequate sleep and ideally go to bed at the same time every night. Good sleep habits gained in this way can help reduce bruxism (teeth grinding).
The individual should talk to their sleeping partner , if they have one . In this way, it may be possible to report this to the dentist if there are teeth grinding or clicking sounds made while sleeping.
The individual should go for regular dental check-ups. Dental exams are the best way to identify bruxism (teeth grinding). The dentist can see signs of bruxism (teeth clenching) in the mouth and jaw during regular visits and examinations.