Bruxism is generally defined as strong clenching (clenching) and small movements (grinding) between the upper and lower teeth. During these movements, the extremely powerful forces of the masticatory muscles can be exerted separately from the chewing function itself.

Thus, such exposure can create problems with teeth, such as the appearance of pits in the enamel near the gums, increased tooth sensitivity, tooth mobility, pain when biting, and problems with the jaw joint. Researchers who have been studying bruxism for a long time have been discussing the topic of mental stress and emotional disorders. It is also discussed that aggression may be the reason why there is a significant weakening of certain brain structures in the production of norepinephrine and the formation of stomach ulcers in experimental animals.

The concept of stress management is based on the psychological background of which bruxism is a manifestation and the benefits related to the activity of the masticatory muscles in relieving stress-related symptoms such as stomach ulcers. Clenching and moving (clenching teeth) during bruxism is an emergency response during periods of mental distress in people to cope with stress.

Forms of bruxism

There are two forms of bruxism:

• Daytime (bruxomania) – teeth grinding, jaw misalignment, thumb sucking, and lip biting.
• Night – a more severe form that has a strong negative effect on enamel, stimulates tooth wear, and increases the load and general tension of the jaw. This disease can and must be fought. There is a special Botox that is injected into the jaw and normalizes its functioning.

Causes of bruxism

Bruxism is a complex condition with a variety of potential causes:

• prolonged stress and nervous tension
• malocclusion
• dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system
• inflammation of the facial nerve
• incorrect orthodontic treatment on braces
• side effects of psychotropic drugs and antidepressants
• Neurological or endocrine disorders: Parkinson’s disease, Raynaud’s syndrome, hyperthyroidism
• hereditary predisposition
• Teething in children
• A man with bruxism

Bruxism symptoms

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of bruxism can be the first step toward effective management. Symptoms may include :

• creaking, chattering, or grinding of teeth at night
• pain in the jaws, face, and neck, and headaches
• increased sensitivity of teeth
• weakening and erasing of teeth
• damage to tooth enamel, the appearance of cracks and caries
• pain when opening the mouth
• pain in the tongue, palate, or mucous membrane of the cheeks
• Insomnia, anxiety, depression, and fatigue due to poor sleep and prolonged pain

The Impact Of Bruxism On Teeth, Jaws, And Oral Health

Long-term effects of bruxism

Untreated bruxism can have major long-term consequences, including considerable damage to the oral cavity. Constant grinding erodes dental enamel, resulting in increased tooth sensitivity, irreversible tooth damage, and even tooth loss. Excessive pressure on the jaw muscles and joints can develop temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which causes discomfort and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that regulate jaw movement. Untreated bruxism can cause changes in face structure and appearance over time owing to persistent muscular stress in extreme instances.

Bruxism and dental damage

Bruxism is one of the primary causes of dental injury. Grinding can cause tooth loss, fractures, and even loosening of teeth due to the high pressure and friction. Excessive stresses can potentially harm or displace dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, implants, and fillings. It is vital to remember that this sort of damage jeopardizes not only the look of the teeth but also their functionality, perhaps making chewing and speaking more difficult. Furthermore, repair is sometimes complex and costly, stressing the need for early detection and management of bruxism.

Bruxism and systemic health

Bruxism can lead to a variety of greater health concerns in addition to oral health. Notably, it is a risk factor for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, which can cause substantial discomfort and impaired jaw function. Another typical side effect of bruxism is sleep disturbance, which can cause exhaustion, cognitive issues, and an increased risk of various health diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Furthermore, the prolonged tension and pain associated with bruxism can have a severe impact on mental health, resulting in greater stress and a lower overall quality of life.

Diagnosis of bruxism

There are several methods for diagnosing bruxism:

• Clinical examination: On examination, the doctor may see worn, broken, or cracked teeth, enlarged masticatory muscles, and other changes in the dentoalveolar system.
• Electromyography: This allows you to measure the activity of the masticatory muscles. This method helps to understand if you have bruxism and determine its severity.
• Radiography: Used to identify structural changes in the dental system due to bruxism.
• CT scan: Used to obtain more detailed information about the structure of the dental system and identify its changes.

Treatment of bruxism in Dentistry

Treatment of bruxism depends on its cause and includes different approaches:

• Bite correction: If bruxism is caused by a malocclusion, the doctor will perform orthodontic treatment using braces or other orthodontic devices.
• Use of removable night splints: For bruxism due to stress or sleep disturbance, removable splints are helpful to protect the teeth and relieve muscle tension.
• Use of medications: Muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and anxiety medications can help relieve muscle tension and reduce bruxism.
• Physiotherapy: Helps strengthen facial muscles, reduce pain, and relieve tension.
• Surgical intervention: In some cases, such as violation of the function of the TMJ, surgery may be required.

Prevention of bruxism

To prevent bruxism, it is recommended:

• avoid stress;
• Do not drink alcohol or drugs because they worsen the condition of the nervous system;
• Consult a doctor if you have problems with the dental system, neurological or endocrine diseases;
• Treat your teeth in a timely manner and correct your bite.

If you notice symptoms of bruxism, consult a doctor immediately. Timely treatment will help to avoid complications and maintain healthy teeth.

To summarize

Bruxism is a complicated sleep problem that can have serious effects on dental health and general well-being. It is critical to recognize its indications and symptoms, such as teeth grinding, jaw discomfort, and dental damage, in order to intervene early. If left untreated, bruxism can cause long-term dental problems such as tooth sensitivity and TMJ difficulties, as well as systemic health issues and a lower quality of life. Depending on the reason, many diagnostic procedures and therapy options are available. Stress management and getting expert treatment when symptoms occur are part of the prevention process. Remember that prompt action is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and a pain-free lifestyle.

Nightguards (or) Night mouthguards- The custom-made plastic mouth pieces fabricated for people who grind their teeth unconsciously during their sleep. Wearing this appliance acts as a protective cushion between the upper and lower teeth surfaces to avert the ill effects of sleep bruxism.

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Teeth Grinding, also known as Bruxism, is a subconscious habit in which a person grinds, clenches, or gnashes their teeth. Despite appears as a common thing, it will cause havoc on your oral cavity. Frequent teeth grinding moves the jaw bone forcefully on either side or back and forth. This persuades facial or jaw pain, damaged teeth, earaches, headaches, and various problems.

Do you know that it is one of the most common sleep disorders?

Recent stats show that more than 1 in 10 people have sleep bruxism whilst one-third of adults develop this habit due to various reasons.

Our dentists have listed the common causes of teeth grinding throughout this post. Scroll down to know more.

What are the possible causes of teeth grinding?

The exact cause of this activity is not known but doctors believe that the root of bruxism lies in the genetic, psychiatric factors or combination of both.

In general, psychological stress is the main culprit that provokes teeth grinding in many cases. On the other hand, grinding teeth during sleep are defined as an unconscious neuromuscular activity as it is triggered by sleep-related chewing motions, abnormal jaw postures.

Here are the other possible causes:

• Genetics – Night-time bruxism seldom occurs as a result of genetic disorders. The kids of people who have snoring or sleep apnea have more chances of developing sleep bruxism. Remember that sleep apnea elevates the body’s stress or airway obstruction that makes the brain tighten the jaw muscles for throat coagulation, leads to teeth grinding.
• Age – Kids often develop teeth grinding habits at the age of 3 and stops at a stage when they begin to lose their milk teeth. Such age-related bruxism goes on its own when a kid enters adulthood.
• Medications – Some medicines are powerful to modify the central nervous system, resulting in bruxism and jaw clenching. In general, medications to treat psychiatric conditions are responsible for teeth grinding.
• Physical illness – Apart from psychological dilemmas and conditions like sleep apnea, various health disorders make changes in our body, provokes various atypical conditions including bruxism. The important ones to mention are dementia, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and acid reflux diseases.

Along with these factors, various habits or day-to-day activities also make you grind your teeth consciously but with no control. Here are a few to mention:

• Biting and chewing nails
• Chewing on substances throughout a day
• Smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Taking illegal drugs

The contents in cigarettes, wines have active stimulants that modify neurotransmitters in your brain. It leads to changes in our brain’s chemical response that affects the muscle response, provoking bruxism.

Bottom line

Teeth grinding is curable and reversing the habit is possible once the cause source of bruxism is identified. Mostly, treatments for the underlying cause will provide your the cure. Meanwhile, behavioral modifications and dietary changes also help in breaking the habit.

On the other hand, wearing dental guards acts as a cushionary barrier between the upper and lower teeth.  The appliance lessens the dental damages caused by teeth grinding.

Crack in teeth can occur due to several reasons. Biting hard food pieces, or maybe poor dental hygiene are some of the examples. 

A cracked tooth may change your smile and cause various problems if left untreated. This problem is most commonly found between the age of thirty and fifty years and affects both men and women.

Cracked teeth are of many types and the treatment option will vary according to the type, location, and fracture severity.

You should not confuse between a cracked tooth and a chipped tooth. Enamel has no tendency to repair a crack on its own like a bone.

Cracked tooth syndrome

Teeth may crack due to an injury or accident. Similarly, poor oral hygiene may also cause a crack in teeth. 

Most probably, cracks are visible if it occurred due to an accident or poor dental health. If those cracks are very small and not visible on X-rays, it will be a challenging thing to diagnose. Tooth cracks may also occur below the gum. They are most visible around the molars or lower back teeth.

Causes of cracked tooth syndrome

Several factors can cause a crack in teeth, they can be caused by grinding or clenching teeth regularly. 

Tiny cracks may arise in your teeth over time when you put pressure on them. 

The risk of cracked tooth syndrome is high if the teeth have large fillings.

Eating or drinking something very hot and suddenly drinking cold water to overcome hotness may also result in a crack in teeth.

A person who has undergone Root canal treatment has more risk of cracked teeth syndrome as their teeth will not be sharp like before.

Symptoms of cracked tooth syndrome

Pain in the tooth while biting or chewing is the primary symptom for a cracked tooth syndrome, and the pain you feel may range from slight to severe.

Your teeth will be sensitive to cold, heat, or sweetness and Gums start swelling around the affected tooth.

Even if the pain is mild, visit your dentist immediately to diagnose the problem early to avoid any severe problems. 

Diagnosis and treatment

To determine a crack, X-rays are used to diagnose, but often they do not show anything. If it does not display anything, the tooth is stained with a dye. 

Also, filling or crown may be removed to determine the affected tooth more accurately.

The treatment will be undergone based on the size, depth of the crack, and location. If the crack occurs in the middle around the edge of the tooth, a crown may be placed on the tooth. 

If the center of the tooth is infected, a root canal treatment may be required.

Prevention method

Following good oral hygiene is the key to prevent any tooth problem, and here too it fits.

If you have a teeth-grinding problem, then a nightguard will help you to overcome this problem.

Complications of a cracked tooth

If the crack in the tooth increases, there will be a chance of entire break off the teeth. The risk of gum infection will be high around the affected tooth. Your tooth may lose if the infection develops over a period.

If you feel even any mild pain, visit your dentist immediately and get treated as soon as possible. Always follow good oral hygiene to prevent any type of mouth-related problems.

Teeth grinding is a habit that is practised by many people, young and old alike. Whilst teeth grinding occasionally is not of much concern, regular tooth grinding is. People usually grind their teeth for a couple of reasons including stress, out of habit or anxiety.

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