Friday, June 9, 2017

The Ugly Truth About Bruxism


According to medical dictionary the definition of bruxism is the habit of clenching and grinding the teeth. It most often occurs at night during sleep, but it may also occur during the day. It is an unconscious behavior, perhaps performed to release anxiety, aggression, or anger. Occasional teeth grinding, medically called bruxism, does not usually cause harm, but when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can be damaged and other oral health complications can arise.

Why Do People Grind Their Teeth?

Although teeth grinding can be caused by stress and anxiety, it often occurs during sleep and is more likely caused by an abnormal bite or missing or crooked teeth. It can also be caused by a sleep disorder such as sleep apnea.

How Do I Find Out if I Grind My Teeth?

Because grinding often occurs during sleep, most people are unaware that they grind their teeth. However, a dull, constant headache or sore jaw when you wake up is a telltale symptom of bruxism. Many times people learn that they grind their teeth by their loved one who hears the grinding at night.
If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth, talk to your dentist.

Some factors for bruxism may include:

   Your daily stress level
   How long and how tightly you clench and grind your teeth
   Whether your teeth are misaligned
   Your ability to relax
   Your diet
   Your sleeping habits
   Depression
   Headache
   Insomnia
   Sore or painful jaw

How is bruxism harmful?

In some cases, chronic teeth grinding can result in a fracturing, loosening, or loss of teeth. The chronic grinding may wear teeth down to stumps. When these events happen, crowns, bridges, implants or and even dentures may be needed.

What are my treatment options if I have bruxism?

Some self-care tips may help relieve pain before you consult a professional. These include:

   Apply ice or wet heat to sore jaw muscles. 
   Avoid eating hard or dense foods like nuts, candies, and steak.
   Do not chew gum.
   Drink plenty of water every day.
   Get plenty of sleep.
   Learn physical therapy stretching exercises to help the muscles and joints on each side of your head get back to normal.
   Massage the muscles of your neck, shoulders, and face. Look for small, painful nodules called trigger points that can cause pain throughout your head and face.
   Relax your face and jaw muscles throughout the day. The goal is to make facial relaxation a habit.
   Try to reduce your stress levels.

To prevent damage to your teeth, mouth guards or appliances (splints) are often used to treat teeth grinding, clenching, and TMJ disorders. A splint may help protect your teeth from the pressure of clenching.

In some people, just relaxing and modifying daytime behavior is enough to reduce nighttime bruxism. Methods to directly modify nighttime clenching have not been well studied. They include biofeedback devices, self-hypnosis, and other alternative therapies.

Call Thousand Oaks Smile Design today at 805-492-3553 if you suspect you or a family member have bruxism.  Our gentle and caring staff can examine your mouth and jaw for signs of bruxism, such as jaw tenderness and excessive wear on your teeth.  We can fit you with a mouth guard to help prevent bruxism and further damage to your teeth.

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