Bruxism is a condition whereby there is unconscious grinding of teeth and tight clenching of the jaws. They can occur at night while a person is sleeping, this is called sleep bruxism or during the day when a person is awake known as awake bruxism. Untreated bruxism presents many dental and health problems in patients.
Causes
The exact cause of bruxism is not always clear, but several factors can contribute to the condition:The exact cause of bruxism is not always clear, but several factors can contribute to the condition:
- Stress and Anxiety: In this case, emotional stress and anxiety are leading causes of bruxism. As a result of this, the patients under psychological pressure are known to clench their jaws or chew on the inner cheek of the mouth.
- Sleep Disorders: Other symptoms that are closely related to sleep bruxism include, sleep apnea, snoring, and all other sleep disorders. Some of the causes of teeth grinding include; Sleep disorders.
- Medications and Substances: Habitual use of certain drugs, especially the antidepressants and psychotropic medications, and stimulants like caffeine containing products and alcohol are known to cause bruxism.
- Genetics: Bruxism is known to be hereditary as well since many patients report that many of their family members also have bruxism.
Symptoms
Bruxism can present a variety of symptoms, which can range from mild to severe:Bruxism can present a variety of symptoms, which can range from mild to severe:
- Teeth Grinding or Clenching: The easiest to notice sign of bruxism is the noisy grinding of teeth particularly when the affected person is in their sleep.
- Jaw Pain: The constant dental discomfort when awake or going around with a sore jaw may well indicate bruxism.
- Headaches: This is usual in those bruxism individuals who are susceptible to tension headaches over the temples.
- Ear Pain: Bruxism at times results in development of earache because the jaw joint is situated close to the ear canal.
- Tight or Sore Jaw Muscles: The muscles of the jaw may feel stiff, painful or even feet like they have been used a lot.
- Disrupted Sleep: Despite the fact that sleep bruxism does not cause actual damage to the hard tissues of the teeth it can disturb the sleep of the patient and their partner.
Treatment
Management of bruxism involves the use of several approaches:
- Stress Management: Some of the procedures like relaxation exercises, meditation, counseling could act as preventive measures and reduce the likelihood of the occurrence of bruxism.
- Mouthguards and Splints: Facemasks that fit the individual’s teeth are available as oral appliances to be used while sleeping to prevent grinding and decrease strain on the jaws.
- Dental Corrections: If this is the general case then the necessary treatments such as orthodontic work or moving teeth back to the correct position will have to be done. Visit a Dentist in Karachi for dental corrections.
- Medications: Sometimes the patient is prescribed muscle relaxants or medicines used for optional anxiolytics and improved quality of sleep.
- Behavioral Therapies: The methods like biofeedback can assist a person to gain an understanding that he or she grinds or clenches teeth and ways to cease it.
- Lifestyle Changes: One should cut down the intake of stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol, ensure one gets enough sleep, and refrain from biting on any object that is not food.
Conclusion
Bruxism is a very widespread disorder, the consequences of which can be adverse for the teeth and the body. Awareness of the causes and identification of the signs are vital in handling the issue. However, certain measures such as; getting the right treatment for this dental disorder and making the necessary changes to one’s lifestyle, bruxism’s impact can be greatly reduced to enhance oral and general wellbeing. The problem should therefore be diagnosed early through dental check-ups, this will enable one to get proper attention. To get treatment you can consult a Dentist in Lahore at the earliest.
