Bruxism - grinding teeth

Bruxism - grinding teeth

Bruxism is a medical condition that affects approximately 10% of the world population *, broadly characterized by grinding teeth and jaw clenching. Disease shows different levels of severity, from a type of bruxism 'easy,' that does not require treatment to aggravated form, which entails problems such as headaches or dental disease.

There are two types of grinding: the daytime, which is manifested by clenching the teeth and jaw in response to different stimuli and at night, automatic scransnirea characterized by rhythmic contractions of the teeth and jaw.

Another bruxism classification can be made depending on the existence or absence of a medical condition prior occurrence of bruxism, which could be due to the latter. If such a condition is present (usually psychiatric disorders), primary bruxism alone, and if not, the secondary bruxism.

Studies have shown that nocturnal bruxism may be associated with many other diseases, the results showing that this condition occurs only rarely. Usually, bruxism occurs during periods of awakening during sleep, indicating a sleep disorder, the strongest association being (according to studies) with obstructive sleep apnea-complete closure of the upper airway. Other sleep disorders have been associated with nocturnal bruxism are talking in sleep, hypnagogic hallucinations (dream-like imagery phenomena occurring before sleep) and violent behavior during sleep.

Also, bruxism is associated with regular consumption of alcohol, tobacco or caffeine.

Symptoms of bruxism include:
-Worn appearance of teeth
-Pain in the face, head and neck
Cracked-teeth
-Increase jaw muscle
Ear-pain (not caused by an infection)
-Blunting tooth enamel
-Increased sensitivity of the teeth
Bite-marks on the inside of cheeks

Regarding the causes of bruxism, these include:
, Anxiety, tension and stress
-Repressed frustrations
-Aggressive personality, competitive, hyperactive
Dental malocclusion, (deviation from normal occlusion of the teeth, often associated with abnormal development of the jaw)
-Different reactions of the body to relieve earache or for those small, tooth eruption
-Complications of diseases such as Huntington's or Parkinson's
Unusual side-effects of psychiatric treatments, including antidepressants

Although in many cases, bruxism does not require administration of treatment, if the disease is severe bruxism remedies are:
-Therapies designed to reduce stress levels, meditation, relaxation exercises
Night-trays
-Acrylic splints support and protection (splint s)
-Procedures for correction of teeth positioned / aligned incorrectly: if teeth are very worn and it triggered chewing problems, it is necessary to apply crowns to entirely reshape the chewing surfaces made food

-Sometimes may be prescribed by muscle relaxants
-In cases of severe bruxism when other treatments have proved effective, Botox injections may be recommended

In terms of prevention methods, regular checks are best dentist because the dentist may notice changes associated with bruxism in structure and appearance of teeth since the first signs of attrition (tooth or enamel) and thus determine if need treatment.

People with the highest risk of suffering from bruxism are those that:
Sleep disturbances, manifested as snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, sleep talking, violent behavior during sleep, sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucinations
-Are subjected to high stress
-Regularly consume tobacco products
-Regularly consume alcohol
-Drank more than six cups of coffee per day
Undergoing treatment, anti-depression and anti-anxiety