Bruxism

Bruxism or grinding of teeth is a disease in which chewing muscles begin to actively contract, which leads to grinding of teeth.

The contraction of the muscles can last from a few seconds to several minutes, while a person may have a palpitations, breathing, rising or dropping blood pressure.

[1], [2], [3], [4]

Causes of the bruxism

The main reason for the manifestation of the disease doctors think is strong nervous strain or stress.

Currently, there are some disagreements about the causes of the development of Bruxism. Night forms of the disease arise as a result of the increased tone of the masticatory muscle, so the main reason for this phenomenon is considered to be a strong nervous shock, an overstrain or a constant irritating factor. In other words, in a dream a person does not control the muscles of the face, so the reduction occurs involuntarily. As experts believe, it is for this reason that the night form of bruxism occurs much more often than the day.

Other causes of the disease are incorrect bite, lack of some teeth, severe addiction to the prosthesis or braces, poorly sealed teeth.

Dentists are sure that there is a direct link between the prosthesis and the appearance of bruxism, but in any case, at the first manifestations of the disease, one should consult a specialist, establish the cause of the grinding and pass the necessary course of treatment.

It is also worth noting that there is another reason why bruxism may manifest itself. It has long been the opinion that the night gnashing of teeth, especially in children, speaks of infection with worms, but there is no scientific evidence for this. But some experts believe that this opinion is not meaningless, because in the body when infected with parasites, there is a lack of vitamins, especially group B, which support the normal operation of the nervous system. In this regard, helminths can lead to depletion of the nervous system, which will trigger the development of the disease.

[5], [6], [7], [8]

Symptoms of the bruxism

Bruxism can occur at any age, but in children the disease is more common (in about 50% of cases).

Usually there is a nocturnal form of the disease, in which a person, especially a lonely person, can not suspect for years of frustration, as muscle contraction occurs in a dream and the person simply does not remember about it.

In day form, usually a person himself notices the manifestation of the disease and tries to control himself independently.

Gnashing of teeth, day or night adversely affects the condition of the dentoalveolar system. Over time, the gum or jaw joints become inflamed and begin to ache, causing discomfort.

Teeth grinding occurs periodically. During night attacks, there may be two or more contractions of the chewing muscles. According to statistics, up to 15% of the population suffers from bruxism.

The main symptom of bruxism is the gnashing of teeth. However, in the night form of the disease, a person may not suspect for years a pathology, as the grinding occurs involuntarily and is not controlled, only an outsider can tell about a symptom.

But there are some other symptoms and sensations that can point to bruxism. First of all, this is the appearance of pains (in the temporomandibular joints, shoulders, back, neck, in the ears, paranasal sinuses, headaches), dizziness, ringing in the ears, daytime drowsiness, depressive disorders, stress and nervous overstrain especially long.

Naturally, all these symptoms are not 100% confirmation of the disease, however, when they appear, you should consult a specialist, especially with increased abrasion of tooth enamel, looseness of teeth, changes in bite.

[9], [10]

Forms

Night bruxism

Grinding of teeth at night can last a few seconds or minutes, but during the night, such attacks can be repeated several times. Attacks usually start suddenly, but the person does not feel it. Bruxism is established by the dentist on the basis of a clinical picture, an anamnesis. Grinding of teeth is not the only sign of bruxism, and when the disease occurs, there are pains in the muscles, joints of the jaw, which can intensify in the morning. Also, the dentist can fix the erasure of enamel on the teeth, inflammation in the tissues of the periodontal tissue, which is associated with traumatization of the teeth and periodontal tissues of the jaw when teeth are closed.

To clarify the diagnosis, a specialist can prescribe a polysomnographic study that will also help to exclude epilepsy, since a nocturnal grinding of teeth can be a sign of epileptic bruxism, which requires completely different approaches to treatment.

[11], [12], [13]

Bruxism in adults

Bruxism in adults usually develops after strong emotional upheavals, for example, death of a loved one, heavy separation, loss, etc. Often, the disease occurs after carrying out multiple dental procedures (restoration, crown, etc.), so at first patients are recommended to wear special protective covers at night.

With constant stress develops chronic bruxism, which leads to the destruction of teeth, inflammation of the gums, the erasure of tooth enamel. Also, the patient is diagnosed with an overload of the temporomandibular joints, which is manifested by pain sensations. Over time, due to disruption of the joints, a person has severe headaches, muscle pains.

Due to the far-reaching process and the lack of adequate care, some patients attempt suicide.

[14], [15], [16],

Bruxism in children

Bruxism in children occurs in 50% of cases. There is an opinion that the disease is inherited. In most cases, the disease does not lead to serious health problems and eventually passes completely.

Pathology is almost always revealed by parents, when at night from the child's bed you can hear characteristic squeaking sounds. With severe attacks of bruxism, in the morning the child can feel a strong headache or toothache, painful sensations on the face are possible. Such attacks should alert parents, especially if several months or years continue.

[17], [18], [19]

Diagnostics of the bruxism

Bruxism is diagnosed quite simply. In the night form about the disease, a person can be informed by relatives or other close people who can hear the scraping (since the person in a dream does not feel it).

In the daily form, the reduction of chewing muscles can be controlled by a person, but in any case requires consultation with the dentist.

In neglected forms, the disease is manifested by severe pain in the face, mandibular and temporal joints, loosening of teeth, the appearance of increased sensitivity of teeth, the erasure of tooth enamel. Also, a person can complain about ringing in the ears, pain in the back or neck, depressive disorders, poor appetite, insomnia, increased sensitivity of the eyes, the appearance of a tingling sensation in the head.

To confirm the diagnosis, the specialist conducts a polysmographic examination, in which a convulsive reduction of the chewing musculature is recorded.

[20], [21], [22],

Treatment of the bruxism

Bruxism is cure pretty hard, as it is necessary to establish the exact causes that triggered the disease. The treatment is aimed at relaxing the masticatory muscles, for this purpose orthodontic devices, medication, psychological techniques can be used.

Treatment is conducted by a dentist, who, depending on the nature of the disease and degree, prescribes appropriate therapy. In young children, the disease usually passes by itself.

As a rule, the earlier the disease is revealed, the better the treatment and the more favorable the prognosis.

An important point in the treatment of bruxism is the patient's attention to the problem.

Dentists recommend getting rid of bad habits by gnashing their teeth during excitement or nervous distress. At the first signs of excitement it is necessary to try to minimize the movement of the chewing musculature.

In this case, various methods of psychotherapy are effective, which help to identify conflicts, to realize the problem, to develop the ability to cope with difficult life situations.

The most common cause of bruxism is stress, so experts recommend soothing baths, relaxing massage, walking, reading books. In some cases, a person can go to a psychologist's consultation.

Typically, these methods help to cope with the daytime form of bruxism, but with nocturnal gnashing a person is not able to control the movement of the masticatory muscles, so a slightly different approach is used.

In nighttime bruxism, a person needs to load the chewing musculature as much as possible during the day, i.e. "Weary" the muscles. In this case, the chewing gum works well, it should be chewed for 1-2 minutes on each side until fatigue is felt (it is desirable to add a new elastic every 2-3 minutes to enhance the effect). A similar exercise with chewing gum should be done several times a day, especially at bedtime.

During the day, it is important to keep the chewing muscles in a relaxed state, and to close them only during meals.

Help to relieve tension in the muscles of warm compresses on the cheekbones.

To protect teeth, experts recommend wearing on the teeth before bedtime special tires (kappa), which are selected in each case individually.

In severe forms, a repositioning tire can be used that regulates the position of the joint in the lower jaw and eliminates spasm of the muscles of the face and jaw.

If the cause of the disease is stress, then sedatives, antidepressants, drugs to improve the protective properties of the body, as well as vitamin and mineral supplements to strengthen the nervous system (calcium, magnesium, etc.) can be prescribed.

Bruxism, if left unattended, can lead to serious complications. To get rid of the disease a person can use several techniques that will help reduce the musculature of the jaw.

Good help to relax auto-training, self-control (relaxation of chewing muscles at the first sense of tension).

In addition, if there are any dental problems (irregular bite, increased tooth susceptibility, tooth enamel abrasion, etc.), you need to consult a dentist and get rid of problems.

With frequent stresses, it is necessary to analyze the situation, to try, if not completely eliminate the stimulus, then minimize its effect, if necessary, turn to a psychologist.

Capa with bruxism

Bruxism, especially the nocturnal form of the disease, when the contractions of the chewing musculature are involuntary, severely damages the surface of the teeth, gums, jaw joints, changes bite. In addition, with bruxism attacks, the joint load repeatedly exceeds the pressure that they undergo when chewing solid products, which causes severe pain. To reduce the burden on the joint head, protect against dystrophic changes in the jaw joints, preserve the tooth enamel, a specialist in the complex therapy can recommend the use of a special kapa.

Treatment of bruxism with kapa is more effective today. During sleep, the cap does not allow teeth to close with muscle spasms, which protects tooth enamel from erasing, prevents the inflammation of periodontal and other problems.

In addition, the cap protects orthopedic structures during attacks (often spasms are so strong that a person breaks a prosthesis, etc.).

Another significant advantage of the kapa is that it prevents teeth from shifting when teeth are loosened and shifted from constant friction.

Kapy are made by an individual cast of teeth, which the dentist does and transfers the technique to the dental laboratory. Kapy can be made of biosilicone or bioplastics.

Some mistakenly believe that kapa helps to eliminate the cause of the disease, however, the main purpose of the device is to protect the teeth from damage, i.e. There is an erasure of the cap, but not the teeth. Therefore, wearing a kapa is part of a comprehensive treatment.

[23], [24]

Making a mouthguard with bruxism

The cap is made of special two-layer materials. The inner part of the product is soft, which provides maximum comfort to the gums, the outer part on which the teeth are closed during the attack, firm, due to which the cap serves for a long time.

This type of cap is ideal for use during sleep, with uncontrolled bruxism.

Kapy are made individually, at first the dentist makes an impression of the patient's jaw and transmits the impression to the dental laboratory, where the maximum corresponding to the features of the jaw cap is made.

There are also standard kapy, however, individually manufactured kapy are more effective, in addition, such products do not slip and fall during sleep, excessive pressure on the teeth and, as a consequence, displacement are also excluded.

To care for drops, every morning, rinse them from the inside with water and brush the outer part with a toothbrush. Store products better in a special case, which does not penetrate the sun's rays, or in a glass of water.

In addition, the kaps should be regularly shown to the dentist, who assesses her condition and, if necessary (as the product is erased), appoints a new one.

Treatment of bruxism by alternative means

Bruxism is a reaction of the body to some irritant or discomfort.

Alternative treatment is more likely to be aimed at preventing such a condition and is associated with the normalization of the emotional state by the reduction of nervous overstrain.

Alternative medicine recommends, with frequent stress or nervous shocks, to perform a relaxing facial massage, take a bath with aromatic oil or soothing herbs (chamomile, valerian, mint) and drink a soothing herbal remedy.

They also calmly calm yoga, you can sign up for a consultation with a psychologist who will help you deal with the problems.

When the day form of bruxism appears, you need to control yourself, so that the force of compression of the jaw is minimal. It should be ensured that the teeth do not come in contact (the only exception is chewing food).

During the day (2-3 times) you can take teas from the herbs (chamomile, melissa, mint), which will help calm down. Also useful for the nervous system are outdoor walks.

Bruxism is often caused by overstrain or fatigue of the facial muscles, so during the day you need to eat solid fruits, vegetables, nuts (especially before going to bed), which will help to use the jaw muscles and tire it. Good helps to tire muscles gum.

If bruxism is detected in a child, you should pay attention to its nutrition and exclude fast food, sweets, and more to give raw vegetables and fruits. Instead of tea, the child will also benefit from herbal infusions of chamomile, mint, linden.

Alternative medicine also recommends using warm compresses when grinding your teeth, which will relieve tension in the facial muscles. Warm gadgets should be done as long as possible. As a warming compress suitable warm herbal tinctures, you can also use a plain water-soaked towel.

With bruxism, you need to reduce your intake of caffeine, sweets and foods high in carbohydrates.

Prevention

Bruxism can and is quite possible to prevent.

As a preventive measure, it is recommended that you periodically relieve tension, identify and deal with your problems.

Contribute to stress relief soothing baths, warm compresses (wet) on the lower jaw.

Also for the prevention of bruxism you need to learn to control the muscles of the face - give them rest, load hard food.

Before going to bed is best to do something relaxing, soothing, for example, instead of watching TV, you can read a book, listen to music. Before going to bed, you can eat an apple, carrots, cucumber or other hard vegetable or fruit, which will calm and at the same time exhaust the musculature of the jaw.

It should also limit the use of caffeine, which has an exciting effect, as well as reduce the consumption of foods high in sugar.

[25], [26], [27]

Forecast

Independently overcome bruxism is quite difficult, in most cases all attempts to solve the problem are ineffective and often lead to serious consequences.

If there is a problem with grinding of teeth, you should seek the help of a specialist. After a comprehensive diagnosis, the dentist will prescribe effective therapy, recommend an auxiliary treatment. Observing all the recommendations of a specialist to get rid of this pathology is quite possible.

Night bruxism, from the point of view of psychology, can point to complexes at a subconscious level. Perhaps there is a certain inner attitude that man can not solve in life, which causes anger, internal tension, etc. It is not excluded that such a reaction can arise as a result of repressed aggression. Education, etiquette, accepted norms of morality do not always allow a person to somehow throw out emotions, problems remain inside, pushing deeper and deeper. But in a dream, when conscious control does not work, a person can thus react to inner experiences.

[28]