Dentists often are the first to notice the signs of bruxism in their patients. Bruxism is the grinding or gnashing of the back teeth either during the day or at night when asleep. Patients may suffer from other physical discomforts because of the clenching and grinding action. Bruxism can be treated in a number of ways to prevent further damage of the teeth.

Symptoms of Bruxism
The dentist may notice areas of worn, chipped or even fractured teeth. The patient may experience increased sensitivity of the teeth and gums. They may feel pain or tenderness in the jaw muscles. Tooth enamel may be worn down, exposing sensitive surfaces of the teeth. The patient may complain of headaches, face pain or earache from the excessive tension on jaw muscles. Often, the patient is aware of nighttime tooth grinding or may have been told about it by spouses or partners.

What Causes Bruxism?
Though experts have not determined the exact causes for bruxism, they know that it occurs when a misalignment of upper and lower teeth is present. Extreme stress and tension can lead to chronic grinding of the teeth during sleep. Psychological causes such as suppressed anger or frustration can lead to chronic bruxism. Some medical conditions, such as Parkinson’s or Huntington’s disease can cause bruxism. It can also be caused by some medications, such as drugs taken for psychiatric conditions. Children may exhibit bruxism when they in discomfort from the eruption of new teeth or when they have pain from earaches. Partaking in stimulating substances, such as tobacco, alcohol or stimulant drugs can also cause bruxism.

Treatments For Bruxism
Children who grind their teeth often outgrow the habit as the new teeth grow in and stabilize. Adults may also stop grinding their teeth when stressful situations resolve. For chronic cases, however, adults may need to learn stress management techniques to control their bruxism before it causes more damage to teeth. Meditation, exercise and biofeedback techniques can help patients to recognize and manage their physical reactions to stress. In some cases, psychological counseling may be necessary to control stress reactions. Flexible mouth guards can be used to prevent contractions of the jaw muscles during sleep that can damage teeth. These mouth guards are available over-the-counter, but custom mouth guards may be necessary for an individual fit. Dental splints made of acrylic can also be helpful in protecting teeth. Your physician may prescribe a muscle relaxant to help with nighttime bruxism. Correction of misaligned teeth can cause significant improvement in many cases of bruxism. Talk to your dentist about the best solution for your needs.

 

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Call or visit Sacramento Emergency Dental Care in Roseville today. Our office is located at 901 Sunrise Ave. Ste A1 and our telephone number is 916-520-1719. You may also visit our website at www.ASAPdentist.com