What is it
Bruxism is the unconscious tendency to close the jaws forcefully and grind the teeth, that is, rub the lower against the superiors. The movements can occur both during wakefulness and during sleep and in both cases are involuntary.
The frequent repetition of these movements leads to tension in the muscles involved in chewing and, in the long run, leads to tooth wear.
Bruxism can affect both adults and children, but is most frequent between the ages of 25 and 44. Many people grind or clench their teeth occasionally; Only when the behavior is frequent can it be identified as bruxism.
Causes
It is generally a combination of factors that cause bruxism: physical states such as tooth misalignment and psychic states such as depression and anxiety.
Suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, i.e. having short periods of shortness of breath during sleep, is one of the main risk factors.
Bruxism can also be associated with taking antidepressant drugs or drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy, and is more common in people who use alcohol, caffeine and tobacco continuously.
Common symptoms
The most frequent symptoms, due to the tension of the tissues of the masticatory apparatus, are pain in the jaw and teeth, headache, ear pain, soreness of the neck or shoulder muscles, limited mouth opening and sleep disorders.
If bruxism lasts for a long time, it can cause temporomandibular joint disorders, the one that connects the jaw with the skull, and progressive wear of the teeth that, over time, causes hypersensitivity to hot and cold foods. And, in severe cases, dental fractures may occur.
Care
The most used tool is the “occlusal bite”, a bite in rubbery material that follows the shape of the dental arch and interposes a soft thickness between the jaw and jaw preventing the rubbing of the teeth and the contraction of the muscles. In practice, it forces you to keep the muscles of mastication in a resting condition.
Since bruxism can be linked to several triggers, treatment must take into account the possible causes: in situations of anxiety it is advisable to try to remove stress, resort to relaxation techniques or undertake activities that allow tension to be released, such as sports activity.
It is also useful to eliminate cigarette smoking and regular intake of alcoholic beverages and coffee.
When to consult your doctor
Painful symptoms usually lead to referral to your family doctor or dentist. Since very often those who suffer from it are not aware of making such movements, it is good that family members who, for example, hear the sounds of grinding during sleep advise to consult a doctor to start the course of treatment.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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