What Is Bruxism?

What Is Bruxism?

We get stressed in our daily life for many reasons. This stress can lead to psychological or physical consequences sometimes. One of these consequences is bruxism, or teeth grinding. Many people unconsciously grind their teeth during sleeping at night.  So, let’s get into more detail on bruxism.

Bruxism is the involuntary continuation of jaw movements during sleep which causes the person to grind their teeth. However, teeth aren’t supposed to touch each other except when chewing food. Bruxism is a reflection of the intense stress that was experienced throughout the day. Although the first symptom is a toothache, bruxism can cause more serious dental problems in the future if not treated.

Can Bruxism Be Cured?

Many people do not notice that they have this problem unless their partner warns them about it, or they wake up in the morning with pain in their jaws. Your dentist will also notice it during routine dental checks. You may think that teeth grinding is a petty complaint; however, if it’s not treated it can lead to tooth shaking and eventually tooth loss. Moreover, it causes damage to the bones, gums and jaw joints in the long run. Bruxism may also cause pain in the other parts of the face, except for the jaw. Your dentist will make the definitive diagnose in this regard.

It’s known that sleep problems play a role in the occurrence of bruxism. Sleep disorders such as snoring, sleep-talking, and sleep apnea are some factors that trigger teeth grinding.

If you have noticed that you are grinding your teeth during sleep, you should see a dentist first. However, it will be favorable to consult a psychiatrist since the problem is caused by psychological reasons. The dentist evaluates the symptoms, gives jaw exercises to prevent the condition from getting worse and prescribes medication if necessary; on the other hand, the psychiatrist treats the psychological problems. Most patients state that activities such as listening to relaxing music, taking walks, or a warm bath help them to overcome their bruxism. You can ask for help from your therapist for more.

A frequently preferred treatment method for bruxism is the use of plaque during nights to detain patients from grinding their teeth. If this alone isn’t enough, additional medications may be given by your doctor. Apart from these, replacement of worn fillings and veneers or prosthesis treatment for missing teeth may also be required.

Your tooth enamel may be worn out as a result of bruxism. Do not forget that you should take good care of your oral and dental health. You can contact to our clinic for a free consultation if you have further questions about bruxism.