Beat Bruxism

Bruxism is characteristic of people who grind their teeth and usually involves the tightening of the jaw. It is an orally active functional to occur in most humans at some point in their lives. In most people, bruxism is mild enough not to be a health problem. While bruxism may be a daytime or nighttime activity, it is bruxism during sleep that causes most health problems and may even occur during short naps. Bruxism is one of the most common sleep disorders.

Causes;

Grind of teeth is a habit rather than a reflection of mastication. Reflex activities occur reliably in response to a stimulus without the involvement of unconscious brain activity. Chewing and clenching are complex neuromuscular activity that can be controlled through processes subconscious or conscious processes in the brain. During sleep, (and some during the waking hours, while conscious attention is distracted) subconscious processes can operate without control, which allows it to produce grind teeth. Some bruxism activity is rhythmic pulses of bite force of tenths of a second (like chewing), and some have a bite force impulses and from 1 to 30 seconds (squeezing). The researchers classified grinding teeth as “a pattern and a sleep disorder.”

The etiology of bruxism or grinding teeth can be varied problems, from allergic reactions or medical problems, trauma (like a car accident) for a period of great stress, but once that bruxism becomes a habit; the original stimulus might have been eliminated without ending the habit that was formed during the stress period. Certain medical conditions can cause bruxism, including digestive ailments and anxiety.

Signs;

Most people are unaware of grinding their teeth. Only 5% go on to develop symptoms such as jaw pain and headaches that immediate treatment. A sleeping partner or parent can observe the behavior first, although sufferers can feel the pain symptoms, without understanding the cause.

Bruxism can lead to occlusal trauma, abnormal wear patterns of the occlusal surface, abfractions and chipped teeth. Over time, it increased dental damage. Grinding of teeth is the leading cause of occlusal trauma and a major cause of tooth loss and gum recession. Bruxism can be strong enough to wake a sleeping partner. Some people loosely important lateral movements.

In a typical case involving lateral movement, the canines and incisors of the opposing arcs move one against the other side, that is, action from side to side by the medial pterygoid muscles that lie within the joint bilateral temporomandibular. This movement wears away the tooth structure and can lead to wear of the incisal edges of teeth. People with bruxism may also grind their posterior teeth; they wear down the cusps of the occlusal surface. Most (but not all) Bruxism includes clenching force provided by masseter and the temporalis muscle groups, but some people with bruxism teeth grinding and clenching of the front, that does not include the masseter and temporal muscle groups. Teeth hollowed by previous deterioration (caries), or dental drilling, may collapse the cyclical pressures of bruxism.

Symptoms;

Patients can experience a variety of symptoms, including:

Anxiety, stress and tension

Depression

Earache

Eating Disorders

Headaches

Migraines

Loose teeth

Tinnitus

Gum recession

Neck pain

Insomnia

Pain or swelling of the jaw

Aftermath/Sequelae;

Over time, bruxism with shorter and reduces lateral movement of the teeth is low and can cause muscle pain tomyofascial, temporomandibular joint dysfunction and headache. If the enamel has worn down enough, the dentin softer will be exposed and abrasion will accelerate. This opens the possibility of tooth decay and tooth fracture, and in some people, gum recession. Early intervention by a dentist is recommended. In severe cases, chronic bruxism can lead to arthritis of the temporomandibular joints. Clenching the jaw, which is often part of teeth grind may be a subconscious neuromuscular activity during the day, which must be treated as well, usually through physical therapy (reduction of recognition and response to stress).

Diagnosis;

Grinding of the teeth is not the sole cause of tooth wear, so it is difficult to diagnose by visual evidence. Worn teeth are usually brought to the attention of the patient during a routine dental examination.

The most reliable diagnostic technique is the measurement of electromyography (EMG). These measures take up the electrical signals from the muscles of mastication (masseter and temporal). This method is commonly used in sleep laboratories. Three ways of measuring EMG are available outside the sleep laboratory.

“Bedside” EMG units are similar to those used by sleep laboratories. These units pick up signals from facial muscles through the cables that connect the head unit to the electrodes that are attached with adhesive to the wearer’s face. TENS electrodes and ECG electrodes can be used.

A band of biofeedback may be used in silent mode to record the total number of incidents of squeezing and the total time each night. These two numbers that is easy to distinguish from dentists clenching and grinding pace to quantify levels of severity. Headbands biofeedback does not require adhesive electrodes or cables connected to the face. Do not record the exact time, duration and strength of each incident as pushing the head to EMG monitors.

EMG biofeedback unit’s header and headbands can both be used as a diagnostic measure or mode of biofeedback as a treatment to help patients overcome the habit of bruxism.

“Disposable” EMG monitors with mounting adhesive to the side of the face on the masseter muscle. They monitor one night and provide a measure of a single digit of the severity of bruxism.