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Bruxism- A Problem of Gnashing Teeth |
Bruxism is a medical term that refers to clenching, grinding, or gnashing of teeth. These symptoms may occur in both children and adults. In children, bruxism shows up as a passing phase which gradually ends during adolescence. There are two manifestations of bruxism, namely daytime bruxism and sleep bruxism.
In children mostly sleep bruxism is manifested, whereas in adults either of the two is seen. Bruxism research shows that in children bruxism may be merely a jawbone, teeth, and mandibular joint development phenomenon.
Sleep time bruxers, who live alone, are generally not able to detect their symptoms, unless they find pain in their jaws on waking up. Therefore, people must know about the presenting symptoms and signs of bruxism so that it does not lead to medical complications.
Most instances of non-painful bruxism are purely annoying. This is because the abnormal noise made during teeth gnashing has an unnerving effect on the family members of a bruxer, but beyond that most such instances need to be ignored. For these instances, no treatment is necessary. However, in all cases, detection and diagnosis must be made early to avoid painful symptoms later.
The symptoms and signs of painful bruxism include flattened, worn, or chipped teeth, and sensitivity in teeth due to worn enamel. They also include chronic manifestation of facial pain or even pinched cheek tissue, besides of course the characteristic noise made during gnashing together of teeth. They may lead to headaches, dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint, or earaches.
Symptomological treatment is required only if bruxism causes damage to the profile of teeth or leads to earache, headaches, pain in the temporomandibular joints, or disorders of the jaw.
Bruxism in adults is just a symptom of a psychological malady. Doctors are yet not sure exactly what causes bruxism. But genetic factors, emotional and physical stress, or suppressed and not completely resolved thoughts in the mind of a bruxer, are all believed to be predisposing factors for this. Bruxism is just a relief valve outlet for unresolved stressors in a bruxer. Bruxism may also be a complication in some adults of Parkinson’s or Huntington’s disease.
Some psychiatric medications that include certain antidepressants are also believed to be causative factors for bruxism.
No permanent cure for bruxism has yet been found.
Treatment is necessary in the case of painful bruxism only for reduction of painful symptoms. During a visit to a dentist by a bruxer for painful bruxism symptoms, the dentist will physically examine the bruxer’s oral cavity and ask leading questions. He will make the bruxer perform mandibular joint movements, assess tenderness, assess condition of teeth, and make a check for damage to profile of teeth. He will conduct x-rays of the jaws and then reach a diagnosis.
Treatment lines for bruxism include massed negative therapy, stress management, mouthguard/splint insertions, realignment of teeth, and crowns or overlays. It also includes biofeedback exercises, jaw related behavioral therapy, changes in sleep position, and use of pain coping techniques. |