There are a number of sleeping disorders that people suffer from, and one of the more annoying of these disorders is bruxism. This is defined as the act of grinding one’s teeth while sleeping. Grinding your teeth at night not only interrupts sleep, but can cause dental problems as well.
It is estimated that around 50 to 95% of the adult
population suffer from this condition. Around 15% of all children also acquire
this condition. This is not a condition that is confined to a particular sex or
age group.Millions of people all over the world, adults and children alike,
have bruxism.
Many people do not even realize that they have
bruxism. Often, the symptoms are mild, and go unnoticed for years. There are
many people who have only discovered that they have bruxism because their
partners have noticed the grinding sounds at night or their dentist has noticed
its effects on their teeth.
What Is Bruxism?
Many people suffer from bruxism, which means that they
grind their teeth in their sleep. If not treated, bruxism can lead to other
more serious conditions, such as temporomandibular joint syndrome, or TMJ.
Bruxism Causes
The exact cause of this condition is not entirely
known, but one of the known factors for bruxism is stress. Many people who have
heightened anxiety gnash their teeth at night as a way of releasing stress.
Most of the time, bruxism occurs during sleep, but there are instances where it
has occurred in sufferers while they are awake in the day time.
Many health specialists believe that bruxism is more
common in certain personality types, such as those with a competitive,
aggressive or hyperactive personality type.
Bruxism Symptoms
Many people, who do not realize that they have bruxism
wake up in the mornings wondering why they have a stiff or sore jaw and why
they have frequent headaches. Both of these are symptoms of the condition. Some
of the other signs that one may have bruxism include:
·
Noticeable
wearing of the teeth, or dental work
·
Earache
caused due to violent jaw muscle contractions
·
Grinding
sounds at night that is noticed by a partner
·
Sensitive
teeth and gums
·
Pain in
the jaws
Bruxism Treatment
There are different ways that bruxism can be treated.
Because it is thought to be often caused by stress, often all it takes are some
lifestyle changes and modification of behaviors to stop teeth grinding. Many
people opt for such treatments as relaxation techniques, hypnotherapy or
biofeedback. Others use a mouth guard for grinding teeth when they sleep to
protect their teeth. Because this is a condition that affects the teeth, it is
important to discuss treatment options with a dentist or oral surgeon.
A quality mouth guard can be purchased for $500 to
$1,000, and is easily fitted by a dentist. Impressions will be taken of the
teeth, and the mouth guard will be custom-made. Additionally, grinding teeth
guards that are less expensive may be purchased at a pharmacy and may be
sufficient to protect your teeth during periods of stress.
In most cases, mouth guards do not need to be worn for
life, and after a certain period of time, the teeth grinding and gnashing will
stop (especially if the underlying condition has been addressed). If you wear a
mouth guard every night it is a good idea to have them replaced occasionally,
they will wear down with the grinding.
0 Comments