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Does your child grind his teeth at night? Or maybe it happens to your partner? Find out what bruxism is and what are the treatments for it.
B for bruxism
Bruxism is a disease whose cause is unknown. In most cases, it affects young people. In people aged 40 and over, its incidence decreases significantly. It is a real rarity in the elderly.
It is believed that bruxism may be influenced by:
• genetic predispositions,
• malocclusion,
• stress, loneliness,
• excessive sensitivity to stress (people who are fearful by nature),
• worse general health,
• neuroses,
• owsica.
Stiff lower jaw
In the course of bruxism, there is an increased tension of the masseter muscles, which are responsible for the correct movement of the mandible to the sides and up and down. If the activity of the rumen is increased, the upper and lower teeth become too tightly clenched and their surfaces rub against each other. This symptom is called teeth grinding. It can occur during the day but tends to occur at night. For this reason, bruxism belongs to the group of parasomnias – undesirable phenomena that occur during sleep.
What are the consequences of this disorder?
Bruxism is not only a dental problem, but also a psychological and social problem. Excessive clenching of teeth can lead to abrasion on their surfaces and even breakage. Later on, the disease leads to inflammatory and degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joints, which no longer fulfill their function. The movements of the lower jaw become limited and accompanied by pain. There may be headaches at the same time.
The sound of teeth grinding can be so loud and unpleasant that it wakes the partners of people with bruxism from sleep. This can lead to conflict and sleep disturbance.
March to the dentist!
Treatment of the disease is difficult. Pharmacological treatment (the use of sedatives, masseter muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory drugs) as well as psychychotherapy are usually insufficient.
Konieczna jest wizyta u stomatologa. Skoryguje on powstałe nieprawidłowości zgryzu i uzupełni ubytki spowodowane bruksizmem. Czasem koniecznej jest zastosowanie specjalnych szyn i płyt, które – ograniczając ruchy żuchwy – chronią uzębienie przed zniszczeniem.
Since the occurrence of bruxism is fostered by personality disorders related to excessive anxiety and increased sensitivity to stress, it may also be necessary to visit a psychologist or psychiatrist in order to diagnose possible mental disorders. Their effective treatment may lead to the withdrawal of the pathological symptom of tooth grinding and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Text: lek. med. Matylda Mazur
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