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This article is about a very common sleeping disorder that affects many Americans. The side effects normally consist of jaw pain, or headaches.
Bruxism is a medical term for grinding, gnashing or clenching teeth and it affects both children and adults. People affected with this disorder will often clench their teeth together unconsciously during the day at stressful times. Individuals who grind or clench their teeth at night suffer from sleep bruxism. Adults normally suffer from bruxism during the day or night whereas most children experience it during the night. Bruxism can be mild or severe, or it can occur so often that it may require medical treatment. Jaw disorders, headaches and damaged teeth such as chips in the teeth, wear of the biting surface, abfractions and cracks in the teeth are a list of problems that often follows bruxism. Damage of this extent to the teeth is known as occlusal disease (excessive or abnormally accelerated tooth wear) and is the number one cause of tooth loss. Bruxism is one of the most common sleep disorders: thirty to forty million Americans grind their teeth constantly at night. Given enough time, dental damage will eventually occur. Unfortunately, most sufferers are not aware of this habit and may end up experiencing tooth decay or receding gums. It is highly advised that sufferers seek medical attention from a dentist in the early stages to prevent any tooth decay from occurring. Signs and SymptomsSome of the symptoms or signs of bruxism includes chronic facial pain; soft tissue on the inside of the cheek; headache; jaw pain or tightness in the jaw muscles; earache (caused from bruxism, not an ear infection); increased tooth sensitivity; worn tooth enamel that exposes the inside of your teeth; flattened, worn down, or chipped teeth; and teeth grinding or chipping that is loud enough to wake your partner. TreatmentIf the problem is severe, treatment may include stress management, behavior therapy, or medications such as botulinum toxin (Botox) that could be helpful to some patients who have not responded to other medications. A dentist may suggest a mouth guard (which is found over-the-counter or one especially made by a dentist) or a splint to prevent damage to the teeth. If it is discovered that bruxism is related to dental problems, the dentist may correct any misaligned teeth. In extreme cases, if sensitivity or the inability to chew has resulted from tooth wear, overlays and crowns may be needed to reconstruct the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Self CareIt is possible to apply self care methods at home to alleviate bruxism. If there is a sleep partner or roommate available in the home with you, ask them to listen for sounds that indicates that you are clenching your teeth while sleeping. If possible, minimize the amount of stress in your life. Keeping stress at bay may help to lessen the possibility of developing a severe case of bruxism. Finally, practice good dental care by going in for regular dental exams. If there isn’t anyone who can help you spot any signs of bruxism, a dentist can. ReferencesWebMd.com. Dental Health: Teeth Grinding (Bruxism. Retrieved July 1, 2007, from http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/teeth-grinding-bruxism MayoClinic.com. Bruxism/Teeth grinding Retrieved July 1, 2007, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bruxism/DS00337 Wikipedia. Bruxism. Retrieved July 2, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruxism
The copyright of the article Teeth Grinding in Oral Health is owned by Faith Redwine. Permission to republish Teeth Grinding in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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