Bruxism interferes with sleep, as it is a disorder characterized by grinding or clenching teeth and can occur both during the day and at night.
There are many questions about the factors that lead patients to develop the problem. However, bruxism can be developed by several causes, such as teeth alignment problems, stress and even neurological problems.
Headache, difficulty chewing, ringing in the ear and constant pain in the face may indicate bruxism, even if the patient uses a invisible dental braces.
Teeth grinding has several consequences – in addition to pain. Therefore, wear of teeth and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) should be treated as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed.
What can lead a patient to have bruxism, how the diagnosis is made and possible treatments are the topics we will discuss below. Check out:
5 bruxism symptoms
Although it is a problem caused by several factors, it is important to know what the main symptoms of bruxism are. The disorder manifests itself in most cases in children, but the tendency is for the symptoms to disappear over time.
However, it is possible to find adults who have developed nocturnal bruxism and only realize it when the disorder starts to interfere with their daily lives. In addition, it is common for adult patients to experience other symptoms such as:
- Constant headache;
- Pain when chewing;
- Difficulty opening your mouth;
- Uncomfortable when speaking;
- Ringing in the ear.
The main causes of bruxism
There are individuals with the porcelain appliance, who grind their teeth during the day and still don’t realize they have the problem. In this sense, it is understood that the causes of bruxism are multifactorial and the main cause is misalignment of the teeth.
When the patient has misaligned teeth, which affect the proper closing of the mouth, the body tends to compensate and rub the teeth together to correct the fit.
In addition to organic factors, bruxism can be related to neurological factors. However, before making a diagnosis, it is essential to analyze all the possible causes such as apnea and even the use of certain medications.
Although stress is also a cause, it cannot be considered a decisive factor for the onset of the disorder.
A patient with problems related to their masticatory system will certainly have bruxism, as well as a patient with gastrointestinal problems will have gastritis.
Therefore, even if there is emotional tension, stress reaches the most sensitive points in each individual.
How is the diagnosis made
For the treatment to have the expected performance, the diagnosis must be carried out correctly.
Teeth grinding can be noticed either by a third party or by the patient himself. However, the correct diagnosis must be made through an examination known as polysomnography, which must be ordered by a dentist.
Even if the individual experiences all major symptoms, self-diagnosis is not recommended. To avoid other oral problems, such as bruxism, consultations with the dentist should take place regularly.
Treatment
As mentioned above, the consequences of bruxism trigger a series of problems that affect the quality of life and even previous dental treatments, such as the use of composite resin veneers.
This is why correct diagnosis is so important. Only with a professional analysis will the individual be able to have a quality treatment that will really solve the disorder.
As it is a multifactorial problem, there is more than one recommended treatment, but each one applies to a cause. Therefore, it is recommended to have a professional indication to treat bruxism. Among them are:
1. Using a dental splint to sleep
The recommended device is custom-made, as are the lenses in teethin the dental office. It is custom-made according to the patient’s dental arch.
Plaque should be attached to the upper teeth and thus prevent the patient from rubbing their teeth overnight.
This device is most recommended for patients with nocturnal bruxism and significantly improves sleep, improving overall quality of life.
2. orthodontic treatment
Orthodontic treatment, through the white braces, can be recommended for patients who have physical occlusion problems.
3. Botulinum toxin injection
The botulinum injection, the famous botox, paralyzes the muscles for a while and prevents the patient from grinding their teeth.
4. Relaxation
Stressful everyday life can trigger the disorder. Therefore, looking for ways to relax is essential to improve symptoms. If necessary, follow-up with a psychologist can also help in the treatment.
While bruxism has many causes, it shouldn’t be a constant problem. With the correct diagnosis, your symptoms will certainly alleviate.
Content originally developed by the team at networkflow, specializing in materials for networking, entrepreneurship and tips for employee health and retention.
