Bruxism is characterized by the unconscious act of grinding or gritting your teeth constantly. This disorder can happen both during the day and during the night, becoming known as nocturnal bruxism, which is more frequent.
The diagnosis of bruxism must be made by the dentist and the treatment depends on what is leading to the grinding of the teeth, however normally the dentist indicates the use of a bruxism plate at bedtime to avoid wear of the teeth.
Symptoms of bruxism
The symptoms of bruxism are usually noticed when the person wakes up, because due to the constant clenching or grinding of the teeth, the muscles of the face can be sore. In addition, other symptoms of bruxism are:
- Wear of the surface of the teeth; Teeth softening; Pain in the jaw joints; Headaches upon waking; Daytime tiredness, as sleep quality is decreased.
If bruxism is not identified and treated, problems may develop that involve the functioning of the temporomandibular joint, known as TMJ, which is the joint that connects the mandible to the skull. Learn more about ATM.
What can cause
Night bruxism does not always have a definite cause, however, it can happen due to genetic, neurological or respiratory factors, such as snoring and sleep apnea, for example. In addition, it may be related to psychological factors such as stress, anxiety or tension.
Excessive consumption of caffeine, alcohol, smoking or frequent use of drugs can also increase the frequency of bruxism, both during the day and during the night.
How to treat bruxism
Bruxism has no cure and the treatment aims to relieve pain and prevent tooth problems, which usually consists of using an acrylic dental protection plate during the night, which prevents friction and wear between teeth and prevents problems in the temporomandibular joints. In addition, it also helps to reduce pain and muscle tension in the jaw area, and prevents headache caused by clenching and grinding of teeth.
Another measures that help to relax the muscles of the jaw and to mitigate and reduce episodes of bruxism, are applying warm water in the region, for 15 minutes, before going to sleep, and practicing relaxation techniques or receiving a massage, which help to reduce stress and anxiety.
In cases of great discomfort or involving problems in the functioning of the temporomandibular joint, the administration of muscle relaxants or benzodiazepines for a short period of time may be justified, and in more severe cases, the application of local injection of botulinum toxin.
Bruxism is also quite common in children, so see how to identify and what to do in case of childhood bruxism.
