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Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Teeth Grinding, or bruxism, is a bad habit that involves the clenching, grinding and gnashing of the Teeth. While most people do grind their teeth occasionally, it can be very damaging if done frequently. In case teeth grinding becomes a habit, causing intensive pain and damage to the teeth, it is necessary to turn to a dentist.

In this post you will find the answers to the following questions:

  • When do we grind our teeth?
  • What is in the background of teeth grinding?
  • What age group is most affected?
  • How can we know if we grind our teeth? What are the symptoms of teeth grinding?
  • Why is teeth grinding damaging and what are the consequences?
  • How can we avoid it?
  • What can we do if it becomes serious?
  • What to expect at the dentist’s?

When do we grind our teeth?

Most people grind their teeth at night, during their sleep, which means they are not even aware of what they are doing. However, some people practice this bad habit during the day, especially in stressful situations.

Why and how do we become teeth grinders?

We release tension by grinding our teeth when we find ourselves in a stressful situation or when we feel anger, but are unable to express it. Aggressive or hyperactive behaviour can also involve teeth grinding. Improper bite or crooked teeth might be the cause of the problem, too, just like sleep disorders, antidepressants , alcohol, smoking, drugs and certain medicines.

What age group is most affected?

One in three people suffer from teeth grinding. Adults and children are equally affected, but the problem is most common among adults between the age of 25 and 44 years.

What are the symptoms of bruxism?

As most of us grind our teeth at night, we are not aware of this bad habit. However, some symptoms can be taken as warning. These can include the sensitivity of the jaw, headache, earache, sensitive teeth, teeth marks in the tongue or our partner’s complaints of not being able to sleep at night.

Why is teeth grinding damaging and what are the consequences?

Sustained pressure on the teeth, as well as clenching and permanent grinding, affects a number of structures: the temporomandibular joint, the gums, the masseter muscles and even some vertebrae. As a consequence of the constant stress, the occlusal surface and the teeth lose their contour and get ground down.
Our jaw can be injured, our teeth can sink and even the structure of our face can be altered. If we grind our teeth, they might get broken, loose or they can even fall out. These damaging processes might continue until only the roots of the teeth remain. However, this occurs very rarely, only in extreme cases. It is a real risk though that the angle and position of the teeth is altered, and some teeth may even get loose. In the middle of the temporomandibular joint there is a movable cartilage. This layer of cartilage gets quickly worn out due to the faulty functioning. As a consequence, the joint makes a rattling, popping, crackling or friction noise, its movement is limited and pain can also occur. It is also possible for the jaw to get dislocated which means that the patient can neither open nor close their mouth. Teeth grinding affects not only the temporomandibular joints but also the surrounding areas.
The masseters get first tense, then hard, followed by the muscles of the neck and throat.
Headache and chronic tinnitus can also be a consequence of teeth grinding.

How can we avoid it?

We can choose from several solutions if we want to avoid teeth grinding. First of all, stress has to be released as it is the root of the problem. There are various methods and exercises to release stress and relax our muscles. For instance, we can try the cognitive behavioural therapy. We should try to learn how to rest, relax or meditate. We should consume less caffeine, chocolate and alcohol and drink more water. It’s a useful technique to place the tip of the tongue between our teeth, but we can also try a mouthguard.

What can we do if it becomes serious?

If intensive pain and permanent problems are experienced, you should contact a dentist.

What to expect at the dentist’s?

You can expect a few examinations, after which you get the diagnosis and the type of treatment can be decided. Depending on this, the dentist can recommend relaxation or other therapies, but crowns, bridges, a mouthguard or prostheses can also be offered.
Summary
Teeth grinding is a harmful habit used to release tension. Most people grind their teeth at night, so they are not aware of what they are doing. However, there are several symptoms that can turn our attention to the problem: headache, earache, jaw problems or our partner’s complaints that we don’t let them sleep at night. We can choose from various methods if we want to get rid of the problem and the symptoms. The most important task is to treat the root of the problem, that is to decrease stress and tension, and change our lifestyle. If more serious problems occur, you should contact our dentist who can prescribe the appropriate treatment after an examination.

The post Teeth grinding (bruxism) appeared first on Best Dentalimplants Online.



This post first appeared on Dental Treatment Abroad - Blog All About How & Where, please read the originial post: here

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Teeth grinding (bruxism)

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