Bruxism is represented by the rubbing of the teeth and affects a large part of the population. Studies show that the appearance of bruxism has a close connection with the stressful lifestyle and manifests itself in moments of relaxation, the most common being the night.
What bruxism mean?
Bruxism is a condition characterized by gnashing, rubbing or clenching of teeth. Gradually, this habit can lead to toothache or tooth sensitivity and, in some cases, even to teeth grinding. As the disease progresses, the dental tissues are affected and gingival retraction occurs.
How bruxism is diagnosed
Bruxism is diagnosed by a check-up by a dentist, who will assess the condition of the teeth during several visits to determine if the changes have progressed and if specific treatment is needed.
If it is bruxism, the doctor will try to determine an exact cause and whether this condition occurred due to medication or is associated with sleep disorders. In addition to this information, the doctor will also perform a dental examination to determine if there is an increased sensitivity in the mandibular muscles or if there are signs of dental wear.
In addition to the dental examination, a dental radiograph or computed tomography may be performed to assess the condition of the dental roots and jaw bone.
Types of bruxism
There are 2 types of bruxism:
Daytime bruxism – people who experience daytime bruxism may clench or gnash their teeth without awareness. Daytime bruxism occurs as a result of external stimuli. In fact, episodes of diurnal bruxism occur without the person being aware of them, especially when they are deeply focused, going through intense emotional states or stressful situations.
Nocturnal bruxism – this condition is usually accompanied by sleep disorders such as apnea or snoring. Nocturnal bruxism is difficult to diagnose and especially to discover, but unfortunately it is the most common. Usually, the people who observe it are, in fact, the partners who sleep soundly next to the affected person and are disturbed by the noise produced.
Causes of bruxism, risk factors and possible complications
Although the causes of bruxism are not yet very clear, there are still some genetic, physical or psychological factors that are associated with this condition:
- stress, anxiety, frustration, anger;
- dental malocclusion (incorrect alignment of teeth);
- insufficient rest;
- disproportionate development of the maxillary bones;
- changing the temporary dentition with the permanent one;
- sleeping disorders.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase the risk of bruxism are:
- a high level of stress or anxiety;
- age – bruxism is common among children and can disappear until adolescence;
- personality type – people who are competitive, aggressive or hyperactive have an increased risk of bruxism;
- some drug treatments – this condition can be a side effect of some drugs, such as antidepressants;
- smoking, coffee or alcohol consumption;
- heredity;
There are also cases where bruxism can be a symptom associated with problems with the nerves and facial muscles.
Sometimes, bruxism is associated with other diseases, such as Parkinson’s disease, dementia, epilepsy, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or night vision.
How to treat Bruxism?
Using the gutter
The gutter is nothing more than a plastic device that will mold to the teeth and its role is to separate the teeth, thus preventing damage due to bruxism.
At the same time, the correctly made brace corrects the imbalances of dental occlusion (so-called unbalanced bite) which will promote muscle relaxation. By wearing a gutter, bruxism can be reduced (both as effects and as a phenomenon in itself), but since the gutter is a mobilizable device, it is only an intermediate treatment solution.
Stress and anxiety control
If the patient suffers from stress or anxiety, the dentist may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy. The most important thing is for the patient to learn to relax in order to have a restful sleep. Therefore, he can try several methods of relaxation such as: yoga, massage, a long bath, breathing exercises, music therapy.
Correction of dental occlusion
It is important for the doctor to check the dental occlusion and explain to the patient what position the jaw should be in.
Other treatments that are related to the patient’s overall health include changing medication, treating sleep disorders, or those health problems that have caused bruxism.