Bruxism is the unconscious clenching or grinding of the teeth during sleep. Bruxomania is the conscious or unconscious clenching or grinding of the teeth during the day.
Symptoms of bruxism include:
• Clenching and grinding of teeth.
• Wear of the teeth (attrition) – the teeth have smoothed surfaces, fractures, broken edges and reduced height.
• Increased sensitivity of the teeth due to destruction of their enamel and trauma to the periodontium.
• Teeth impressions on the tongue.
• Damage in the area of the jaw joints and masticatory muscles.
• Headache.
• Malaise and/or tiredness.
• Lack of appetite.
• Tinnitus.
Bruxism during sleep affects men more often, and women are more often affected by daytime bruxism. Nocturnal bruxism is a condition in which a person clenches or grinds their teeth during sleep. Patients suffering from nocturnal bruxism most often wake up with pain in the jaw joints. This type of bruxism can cause more harm than daytime bruxism because you may not realize it is happening.
In daytime bruxism (bruxomania), the grinding is directly dependent on the stressful situations that provoke them. People suffering from bruxomania have a greater tendency to self-harm when they are in a stressful situation.
What causes Bruxism ?
• Misaligned teeth.
• Decayed teeth.
• Stress and anxiety. Stress and anger are the most significant factors in the development of bruxism worldwide.
• The use of tobacco, alcohol, caffeine and certain medications lead to increased excitability, which can contribute to bruxism.
• Bruxism is often seen in people with sleep disorders such as snoring, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and other sleep problems.
• In children: hyperactivity, cerebral palsy or certain types of medication.
Bruxism can have a negative impact on your teeth. Here are some ways bruxism can damage teeth:
• Enamel wear: Constant grinding of the teeth can lead to wear of the enamel (the outer layer of the teeth). This makes the teeth more sensitive to heat, cold and acids.
• Fracture of teeth: If bruxism is intense, it can lead to broken teeth. Affected teeth may split or have part of their crown broken.
• Pain in the jaw and face: Constant tension in the jaw can lead to pain in this area. This can also affect the face.
• Gum and jaw joint problems: Bruxism can lead to gum and jaw joint problems, such as temporomandibular syndrome (TMS). This can manifest itself with pain when opening the mouth and even crunching in the jaw joints.
The treatment of bruxism is complex and depends on its cause:
– Clear Bruxism Splints: These special splints keep the teeth apart and prevent rubbing between them, reducing wear and tear. Braces are made from a pressed clear film that is made to fit snugly over your teeth. They are only worn at night while sleeping.
– Bite correction: If deviations in the alignment of the teeth are the cause of bruxism, bite correction may be necessary.
– Aligners are an extremely correct approach in which the teeth are protected during sleep and the bite is corrected at the same time.
– Botox treatment. A small amount is placed in the masticatory muscle to relax it. The effect lasts up to six months.
– Drug therapy with muscle relaxants, but this method is not very effective.
– Psychotherapy for stress management and/or relaxation techniques as adjunctive treatment.
I hope you found the article helpful.
If you have or suspect bruxism, you can call us and book an appointment for an examination and consultation onlineor by phone +359877886816
Dr. Boneva Dental Center
Neofit Bozveli St. 46, Varna