Known popularly as teeth clenching, the medical term bruxism is a type of movement disorder that causes an individual to clench, tighten, and grind their upper and lower teeth during sleep. At times, the problem of teeth clenching can become severe. Bruxism, which particularly manifests after stress, anxiety disorders, and anger, is a common health problem.
After a difficult day, the state of teeth clenching and grinding continues to increase. During the day, pain, aches, and tooth sensitivity can be felt due to the friction of the teeth during sleep. Although it is generally a stress-related problem, cases where teeth grinding starts for no reason can also be seen. Indeed, sleep bruxism is normally characterized as a movement disorder.
Teeth grinding can be mild, moderate, or severe. If the degree of teeth grinding during sleep is mild, it may resolve on its own before reaching a level that causes health problems. However, bruxism cases where the degree is not correctly identified can traditionally face advanced health problems. It is very important to see a specialist dentist to take immediate precautions against the health problems that teeth grinding can cause. Otherwise, advanced problems such as tooth fractures and jaw disorders can occur. To prevent this undesirable situation, you can get information from our experts at Özel Hayat Dental Clinic.
Medical researchers have not definitively determined what exactly causes bruxism. However, it is thought that the problem of jaw clenching occurs as a result of a combination of physical, genetic, and psychological factors manifesting in individuals at certain times.
In many cases of bruxism, there are some generally encountered factors. It is stated by experts that stress-related problems fundamentally trigger teeth grinding. In general, emotional changes such as anxiety, stress, anger disorders, or tension are observed in bruxism cases. These negative emotional changes manifest as a movement disorder in the human body during sleep.
Teeth grinding can also be a sign of another health problem. In some cases, a disease begins to show itself with minor symptoms. However, you need to see a specialist dentist to make a definitive diagnosis.
The most noticeable symptoms of bruxism, which has various symptoms resulting from severe clenching and grinding of the teeth, are as follows:
The severity of the symptoms varies from person to person. A specialist’s opinion is essential to get detailed information about the answer to the question “What is bruxism?” Because after a diagnosis of bruxism is made, it is very important for the physician to determine the level of damage. Therefore, an examination by a dentist is absolutely necessary to determine the level of teeth grinding. However, if you think you are showing these symptoms, you can safely be examined by our dentists at Özel Hayat Dental Clinic.
A specialist dentist checks for possible bruxism symptoms during a regular dental examination or routine check-ups. If symptoms are found, your physician may call you in for several examinations to monitor the changes in your dental structure. This way, they can determine the appropriate type of bruxism treatment for you. To decide on the most effective treatment method, a correct diagnosis and careful monitoring of the patient are necessary.
Before diagnosing bruxism, the dentist learns the patient’s detailed history. Various questions about the medications you use, your daily routines, your general dental health, and your sleep disorders are very important for a definitive diagnosis. Fractures, sensitivity, scratches, cracks, irregularities, and missing teeth are the most prominent bruxism symptoms. The problem of teeth grinding, which manifests not only on the tooth surfaces but also with jaw deterioration, can be quickly prevented with timely diagnosis and treatment.
After a definitive diagnosis of teeth grinding is made, the dentist may request X-rays to check the individual’s dental health status. The dentist, who detects sensitivity in the jaw muscles, tooth fractures, jaw abnormalities, and damage to the inside of the cheek, guides the way for appropriate treatment. They will explain “How is bruxism treated?” in detail and outline the steps you need to follow during treatment.
You can find the most suitable method for teeth grinding treatment by consulting a dentist. Treatment methods generally aim to alleviate the jaw clenching movement and prevent damage to the teeth. As much as adults, children can also experience teeth grinding while sleeping at night. However, this condition is usually temporary in children and at a level that does not damage the teeth. In contrary situations, the child’s parent must inform the dentist about the situation.
For individuals found to have a certain level of bruxism as a result of a dental examination, the underlying cause of the problem is first investigated. For this investigation, some tests are performed in addition to the medical examination. Individuals who experience teeth grinding problems during sleep may be referred to a sleep medicine specialist. While the dentist is conducting the examination, they will ask you various questions to diagnose sleep disorders or sleep apnea. By answering these questions correctly and completely, you can speed up the diagnosis.
Splints and teeth grinding guards help keep the teeth separate to prevent damage from friction. Dental guards made of soft-textured or acrylic materials can be used by fitting them over the upper and lower jaw. At the same time, in mild cases of bruxism, correct jaw positions during sleep are shown by the dentist. This way, sleep disturbances can be prevented without the upper and lower jaws rubbing against each other. While these methods may result in a complete cure, it is not possible to make a definitive prediction. However, protective methods are generally preferred for teeth grinding. In general, although medication use is not effective in bruxism cases, medications such as muscle relaxants may be recommended by the dentist.
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1- Does teeth grinding damage teeth?
The problem of teeth grinding causes damage as it leads to wear on the teeth. As the extent of the damage increases, it can cause sensitivity, enamel fractures, surface cracks, and unwanted discoloration. In the long term, the problem of teeth grinding can trigger bone loss, jaw and tooth abnormalities, and gum problems.
2- How is teeth grinding prevented?
You need to consult a dentist to find a solution for teeth grinding. You can prevent grinding with the help of a night guard, a dental protective appliance, or various medical methods. For stress-related teeth grinding, you can consult specialist therapists upon the recommendation of your dentist. At the same time, if you have harmful habits like alcohol and smoking, quitting them is very effective in preventing teeth grinding.
3- Does the problem of teeth grinding cause gum recession?
Clenching and grinding your teeth can cause excessive force to be applied to the teeth, leading to the recession of the gums. While clenching your teeth, you can unknowingly dislodge the tooth root with a lot of force and cause permanent damage. This situation also leads to gum sensitivity.
