Bruxism or gnashing of teeth

Bruxism or gnashing of teeth

Bruxism or gnashing of teeth – is too strong, unconscious activity of the masseter muscle, clench of teeth, usually during sleep.

Apart from the night bruxism, there is diurnal bruxism when a person tends to involuntarily clench his teeth at the emotional tension.

About 15 percent of adult and about 50 percent of children suffer from bruxism.

Bruxism of little children usually does not require treatment, because at the age of 6-7 years, they usually recover themselves. Children gnash their teeth more when milk teeth or permanent teeth germinate, the jaw grows, and it is – a physiological process. When permanent jawbone forms, this phenomenon resolves itself. A person, experiencing gnashing of teeth, can feel pain of jaw, cheek, pain in temple area, headache, the teeth become sensitive to cold, and while biting, teeth imprints may be visible on the tongue. During friction teeth wear out, become sensitive, fillings can chip off, some teeth, prostheses can crack or even break. Therefore bruxism is necessary to be treated.

Bruxism reasons may be different:
* Anxiety, emotional stress, tension.
* Sleep disorders.
* Personality characteristics. It is observed that people prone to depression, hyperactivity, aggression, competitiveness, great poise, pedantry, as well as inhibiting themselves stress and anxiety, gnash their teeth more often.
* Incorrect bite.
* Irregular crowns, bridges, fillings.
* Insufficient diet, deficiency of magnesium and vitamin B5.
* Medications and chemicals (e.g. antidepressants, alcohol, smoking).

What to do? 

Bruxism mouth guard

* Consult your dentist. If this is the problem of occlusion, occlusion correction will be performed (aesthetic filling, prosthodontics), if it’s too strong bite, it is necessary to fix the tongue, lips and teeth position by producing a special mouth guard and wear it at night. It will not let the teeth to contact, will keep the jaw in a regular position, so masseter muscles will relax.
In very rare and difficult cases, the therapy of botulinum injections into muscle is applied.
* For adjunctive therapy, B group vitamins, calcium and magnesium are administered. These materials can reduce the activity of masseter muscles during sleep.
* As one of the causes of bruxism is stress and anxiety, it can be overcome with the help of psychotherapy and learning to manage stress.
* Restriction of antidepressant doses, smoking alcohol, caffeine.

Bruxism prevention:

* Try to avoid stress as much as possible, learn to relax, manage exposure to stress. E.g. physical exercises reduce tension, relax muscles.
* A common cause of bruxism is overwork, so try to follow the correct day mode, have enough sleep.

If your child gnashes his teeth, read tips