Involuntarily clenching your teeth and jaws and grinding them, especially at night, is known as bruxism. Bruxism is an unconscious habit that certain individuals suffer from. Most individuals are affected from this oral parafunctional action, but in mild forms. However, there are some individuals who suffer from bruxism in significant forms that may result in sleep disorders. There are millions suffering from this disease in America alone, who grind their teeth when asleep.
Bruxism in adults and children can be treated with the help of early detection. A thorough oral examination needs to be conducted by a dentist. The occlusal surfaces of the teeth are often seen deteriorating and wearing out. The tooth may even experience a significant loss in its structure and enamel surface. This exposes the inner dentin of the tooth. One of the main disadvantages of this is that it may also result in making the teeth sensitive to hot and cold food. According to tests conducted by dentists, there can be two kinds of decay caused by bruxism. In some cases, the deterioration is in the canines and the incisors that grind against each other. This often results in your incisors loosing their sharp edge and a significant wearing down of the dental structure.
Another kind of significant wear that is possible in bruxism cases is the deterioration of the posterior teeth. This causes significant damage to the cusps and might result in significant chewing problems for the individuals. A dentist is able to gauge the percentage of wear that has occurred on a tooth in order to treat bruxism accordingly. The tips of the teeth often appear flat to the dentist when a general oral examination is conducted. Some of the most common symptoms associated with bruxism include oversensitive teeth, facial pain due to tense jaw muscles and damage to the structure of the tooth and to the enamel. The tongue surface may also suffer from the repeated grinding movements of the teeth. With the continuous wear, the tooth structure is cut down significantly and it may lead to jaw pain and also headaches. In severe cases, the individual might eventually suffer from jaw dislocation and damage to the cheek.
Grinding teeth might not be the only reason for the tooth decay. It may also result from inappropriate brushing techniques, too much consumption of soft drinks that are high on acidic content. Even tooth pastes consisting of harsh or abrasive substances contribute to dental decay. If this condition is not taken seriously, it may eventually result in decay that may give rise to gum recession, tooth fracture and eventual tooth loss.
There is no known cure for bruxism to date. However, if bruxism is detected by your dentist during a routine dental examination, a number of treatment procedures may be applied, so that at least some protection is provided to the teeth. With different varieties of mouth guards and repositioning splints, the abrasion to the tooth structure is minimized. Other treatments of bruxism include prescribed medications and supplements. Since, bruxism is often caused due to depression and stress-related problems, the patient might also be advised to follow meditation and relaxation techniques.
Please consult a dentist for additional information about bruxism and how bruxism is treated. Click here to find a dentist in your area. Enter your ZIP code below to find a money-saving discount dental plan available near you.
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