2024.10.25

Grinding of the teeth (bruxism)

2024.10.25

Grinding of the teeth (bruxism)

Reducing bruxism and the damage it causes requires finding out the causes and addressing them. At the first sign of bruxism, it is recommended to consult a dentist and/or a physiotherapist working on the jaw joint as soon as possible. The earlier treatment is started, the easier it will be to solve the problem. Successful treatment depends heavily on the patient’s motivation and self-work – learning to express stress and emotions in other ways, being able to relax, and taking care of the facial muscles, while ensuring a balance between working and resting patterns. Physiotherapists work on the facial muscles, restoring their balance. In many cases, some muscles are spastic and tired and need to be relaxed during the massage, while others are too weak and need to be stretched and activated. Balancing the muscles takes the strain off the joint and teeth. In many cases, physiotherapy is the way to eliminate or significantly reduce bruxism. Intraoral facial massage by a specialist is particularly effective. During this massage, the facial muscles are relaxed from the mucosal side, thus reaching the deep muscles that are tense due to night-time and/or daytime gripping.

Bruxism is the parafunctional contact between the lower and upper jaw teeth, which is manifested by teeth grinding, gnashing or severe biting. This disorder, which affects the teeth, periodontal tissues, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the muscles of mastication, can occur during both night and day.

As this is an uncontrolled and unconscious action, the person can usually only be told that they are grinding their teeth by someone sleeping nearby or by a dentist who has noticed the wear during a dental appointment.

Studies show that about 31% of people gnash their teeth during the day and 15.9% at night. It is also reported that the number of women and men who gnash their teeth is similar, but that older people are less likely to be affected by this parafunction.

Normally, a person’s teeth are only actively clenched when chewing food, while teeth at rest have little or no contact with each other. Under normal conditions, the masticatory muscles are relaxed, the lips are compressed and the tongue is held against the upper palate.

However, the situation often changes when you get angry – your teeth are unconsciously bitten hard. However, this action is short-lived, so its negative effects do not manifest themselves.

If you have a problem with clenching your teeth, your teeth are biting too hard due to the activity of your chewing muscles, even at rest. Research has shown that people who gnash their teeth spend 7 times longer per day than normal. As a result, the muscles are constantly under tension, which disrupts the temporomandibular joint and, when the biting forces are strong, leads to changes in the tissues around the jaw. As a result, the symptoms and consequences of bruxism (gnashing of teeth) develop over time.

Gnashing teeth complaincomplain:

  • jaw pain,
  • jaw joint crepitus,
  • with a heavier chuckle,
  • tooth misalignment,
  • tooth marks on the tongue;
  • painful gums,
  • sensitivity to cold and heat,
  • pain in the groin area,
  • abrasions to the chewing surfaces of the teeth,
  • hypertrophy of the chewing muscles, increased muscle tone, fatigue,
  • cracks and fractures in teeth or dentures.

Bruxism (dantFactors that cause teeth grinding

There is no one specific cause of bruxism. It has been shown that many factors can influence teeth grinding. For example, stress and nervous tension are among the main causes. In some cases, gnashing of teeth can be a symptom of endocrine disorders, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, neuro-neurological disorders or epilepsy.

The main factors that cause gnashing of teeth:

  • Psychological – depression, stress, tension, emotional exhaustion.
  • Malocclusion. With an irregular bite, a person struggles to place his or her teeth in a comfortable position, causing them to rub against each other, resulting in bruxism.
  • Sleep disorders. Sleep apnoea (temporary cessation of breathing during sleep), snoring, sleep paralysis, talking during sleep.
  • Body intoxication (parasites, drugs).
  • Deficiency of vitamins (B vitamins) and trace elements (magnesium).
  • Period of jaw growth and tooth eruption. Studies show that this is the main factor that causes teething in children. It is argued that, until a permanent bite is formed, gnashing is a physiological process in children. It usually occurs after the first milk teeth have erupted or when the permanent teeth start to erupt (around 5-7 years of age). However, bruxism caused by this disappears spontaneously.

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