Key to Stop Teeth Grinding: Knowing Why It Happens
The main reason why teeth clenching, especially during sleep remain undiagnosed and hence untreated is because, yes, you guessed it right, the activity happens while you are sleeping! Everything dawns on you when you experience the ill-effects teeth grinding on the gums and teeth. Of course, it is also true that most people become aware of the problem, when the low grating noise created while teeth clenching is loud enough to wake up the sleeping partner.
But then, aren't gnashing your teeth normal? Yes it is, but not when it becomes chronic and the effects of such a parafunctional activity reaches a level where it starts to impact overall health and dentures.
What exactly is bruxism?
Medically known as bruxism, this condition is a completely involuntary and purposeless activity involving two sets of teeth gnashing against each other with considerable amount of force and pressure. The pressure is almost 14 times higher than the normal pressure exerted during chewing.
Though occasional this condition is normal, chronic teeth clenching becomes a medical problem needing therapy, when the activity results in seriously damaged gums and teeth accompanied by pain the jaws, ears, head and face.
Causes: What results in bruxism?
Regarding what causes bruxism, physicians blame mental stress, suppressed frustrations, etc for causing the condition. On the other hand, dentists believe that that the grinding causes have direct links with misalignment of teeth.
Be that as it may, some of the common factors that cause said condition include the following:
- stress, which affects 70% of sufferers.
- Some typical personality traits invite bruxism. They are: hyperactivity, over-competitiveness, and aggressiveness.
- Excessive response to arousals during sleep.
- Misalignment of jaw joint.
Bruxism symptoms: signs that tell you to see a doctor
Unfortunately, all the bruxism symptoms become visible after considerable damage has already been caused by the disorder. Some typical bruxism symptoms that push the patient to visit a doctor include:
- Flattened teeth with chipped corners
- Broken enamel
- Indentations in the tongue
- Chewed tissues in the mouth
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Pain in the jaw and ears
- Facial pain
- Morning headaches
Prevent teeth grinding: how to go about it?
Since the entire activity happens during sleep, the key to prevent this condition is to first become aware of the existence of the problem. The second step for prevention is to go deep down and treat the grinding causes.
Stress being one of the most common reasons for teeth clenching, one would have to take urgent action to reduce stress in order to prevent teeth grinding for good. Yoga, deep breathing, meditation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a few of the time-tested stress busters that have long-term calming effect on the mind.
Medicines that are prescribed to prevent this condition include pain killers and tranquilizers that mainly control the aftermath of teeth clenching. Using mouth guards at night has helped several patients of bruxism. These devices stop teeth grinding by preventing the sets of teeth from coming into physical contact with each other during the night.
But then, aren't gnashing your teeth normal? Yes it is, but not when it becomes chronic and the effects of such a parafunctional activity reaches a level where it starts to impact overall health and dentures.
What exactly is bruxism?
Medically known as bruxism, this condition is a completely involuntary and purposeless activity involving two sets of teeth gnashing against each other with considerable amount of force and pressure. The pressure is almost 14 times higher than the normal pressure exerted during chewing.
Though occasional this condition is normal, chronic teeth clenching becomes a medical problem needing therapy, when the activity results in seriously damaged gums and teeth accompanied by pain the jaws, ears, head and face.
Causes: What results in bruxism?
Regarding what causes bruxism, physicians blame mental stress, suppressed frustrations, etc for causing the condition. On the other hand, dentists believe that that the grinding causes have direct links with misalignment of teeth.
Be that as it may, some of the common factors that cause said condition include the following:
- stress, which affects 70% of sufferers.
- Some typical personality traits invite bruxism. They are: hyperactivity, over-competitiveness, and aggressiveness.
- Excessive response to arousals during sleep.
- Misalignment of jaw joint.
Bruxism symptoms: signs that tell you to see a doctor
Unfortunately, all the bruxism symptoms become visible after considerable damage has already been caused by the disorder. Some typical bruxism symptoms that push the patient to visit a doctor include:
- Flattened teeth with chipped corners
- Broken enamel
- Indentations in the tongue
- Chewed tissues in the mouth
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Pain in the jaw and ears
- Facial pain
- Morning headaches
Prevent teeth grinding: how to go about it?
Since the entire activity happens during sleep, the key to prevent this condition is to first become aware of the existence of the problem. The second step for prevention is to go deep down and treat the grinding causes.
Stress being one of the most common reasons for teeth clenching, one would have to take urgent action to reduce stress in order to prevent teeth grinding for good. Yoga, deep breathing, meditation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a few of the time-tested stress busters that have long-term calming effect on the mind.
Medicines that are prescribed to prevent this condition include pain killers and tranquilizers that mainly control the aftermath of teeth clenching. Using mouth guards at night has helped several patients of bruxism. These devices stop teeth grinding by preventing the sets of teeth from coming into physical contact with each other during the night.
About the Author:
Marc MacDonald is an independent health researcher on sleep apnea, snoring, and hypersomnolence among others. To delve deeper into this article's main topic, please visit his Teeth Grinding website.