What is bruxism?
Bruxism is the term that refers to an incessant grinding
and clenching of the teeth, unintentionally, and at
inappropriate times. Bruxers (persons with bruxism) are
often unaware that they have developed this habit, and
often do not know that treatment is available until
damage to the mouth and teeth has been done. Damage
caused by bruxism often includes the following symptoms.
However, each individual may experience symptoms
differently. Symptoms may include:
- abraded teeth
- facial pain
- oversensitive teeth
- tense facial and jaw
muscles
- headaches
- dislocation of the
jaw
- damage to the tooth
enamel, exposing the inside of the tooth (dentin)
- a popping or clicking
in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
- tongue indentations
- damage to the inside
of the cheek
The symptoms of bruxism
may resemble other conditions or medical problems.
Consult a dentist or your physician for a diagnosis.
What causes
bruxism?
Although this habit is unintentional, oral health
specialists often point to excessive stress and certain
personality types as typical causes of bruxism. Bruxism
often affects persons with nervous tension such as anger,
pain, or frustration, and/or persons with aggressive,
hurried, or overly-competitive tendencies.
How is bruxism
diagnosed?
During
regular visits to the dentist, the teeth are examined for
evidence of bruxism -- often indicated by the tips of the
teeth appearing flat. If symptoms are present, the
condition will be observed for changes over the next
several visits before a treatment program is established.
Treatment for
bruxism:
Specific treatment for bruxism will be determined by
your dentist or physician based on:
- your age, overall
health, and medical history
- extent of the disease
- your tolerance for
specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- expectations for the
course of the disease
- your opinion or
preference
About one in three people
suffers from bruxism, which, in most cases, can be
successfully treated. Treatment may involve:
- behavior modification
Teaching the patient how to rest his/her tongue,
teeth, and lips properly, and learning how to
rest the tongue upward may relieve discomfort on
the jaw while keeping the teeth apart and lips
closed.
- mouthpiece
A specially-fitted plastic mouth appliance may be
worn at night to absorb the force of biting. This
appliance may help to prevent future damage to
the teeth and aid in changing the patient's
behavior.
- biofeedback
Biofeedback involves an electronic instrument
that measures the amount of muscle activity of
the mouth and jaw -- indicating to the patient
when too much muscle activity is taking place so
that the behavior can be changed. This is
especially helpful for daytime bruxers. Further
research is needed to develop a treatment program
for bruxers who clench during the night.
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