Bruxism in adults and children: what is it, causes and treatment

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is the medical term for the habit of grinding your teeth.

Most people grind their teeth from time to time, which usually does no harm, but when it does becomes a habit and occurs regularly, this habit can lead to permanent damage to the teeth. In some people, it can also trigger headaches, ear pain, and jaw discomfort.

Teeth grinding usually occurs subconsciously during sleep. For most people, stress and anxiety are contributing factors to bruxism.

Types of bruxism

Bruxism is often classified as:

• Bruxism of awakeningwhen you usually clench your teeth and jaw when you are awake (but usually teeth are not rubbing). Most will do this subconsciously, concentrating.
• Bruxism in a dreamwhen you subconsciously rub your teeth against your teeth and clench your jaw muscles in a dream. Partners may hear an unpleasant grinding or knocking noise that can irritate them.

Bruxism is also divided into:

1. primary bruxismthat occurs without any underlying disease;
2. secondary bruxismwhich is caused by another condition like depression or anxiety, being treated with drugs such as antidepressants, or using drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy.

How common is teeth grinding?

It is not known exactly how many people have bruxism, but up to 8-10% populations suffer from it at some point in their lives.

It can occur in both children and adults, but is more common in adults aged from 25 to 44 years old.

Estimated, up to 15-33% children grit their teeth, although the habit tends to stop when their adult teeth are fully formed. In most children, the habit occurs during growth and has no lasting effect.

It is believed that stress and anxiety causes teeth to grow more often or worse during sleep. Bruxism is also more common in people who regularly drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, or drink caffeine (more than six cups a day).

Who is most at risk?

You are more likely to suffer from bruxism if you:

• lead a busy lifestyle;
• drink large amounts of alcohol;
• smoke;
• take medication for sleep, depression or anxiety;
• drink six or more cups of tea or coffee a day;
• have apnea, snore, or talk in your sleep.

Symptoms of bruxism

Grinding teeth (bruxism) can affect people in different ways. Some of the side effects disappear when you stop grinding your teeth. But some may be long-term or permanent.

Short term effects

Most people are unaware of their teeth grinding habit and have no symptoms.

However, in a person with bruxism and their bed partners, it can cause sleep disturbance.

Some people with bruxism may develop headaches, pain in the jaw and facial muscles, ear pain, or stiffness in the joints and shoulders.

Long Term Effects

Long-term effects of bruxism include:

• worn-out teeth, which in extreme cases can lead to a reduction in the crown of the teeth, which will lead to the need for expensive dental treatment;
• teeth grinding cracks, which can lead to further problems such as infection and abscesses if left untreated;
• sensitivity of the teeth;
• pain and stiffness in the jaw joint (known as a disorder of the temporomandibular joint).

When to see a doctor or dentist

You should see your dentist if:

• your teeth are worn out, damaged, or sensitive;
• you have a sore jaw, face, or ear;
• partners complain that you interfere with their sleep.

If you suspect that you may be grinding your teeth, talk to your dentist. They can examine your mouth and jaw for signs of bruxism, help identify possible causes, and suggest appropriate treatment, such as a mouthguard.

Causes of teeth grinding

Stress and anxiety

It has been calculated that almost 70% bruxism occurs as a result of stress or anxiety that subconsciously affects people during sleep. Stress and anxiety can be associated with high demands at work or difficult life events.

Bruxism can also result from taking certain antidepressants used to treat depression and anxiety.

Imperfect bite

Bruxism can be associated with an abnormal bite. This is when there is a problem with the connection of the upper and lower teeth (occlusal divergence). Missing or crooked teeth can also cause you to grind your teeth.

Although a dentist can cure an abnormal bite in most people, fixing the problem does not guarantee that any symptoms will go away.

Lifestyle factors

Bruxism may be more common among people who practice:

• alcohol abuse;
• frequent smoking;
• taking drugs, especially ecstasy and cocaine.

Medications

Bruxism can occur as a side effect of certain medications. These include some psychotropic drugs (medicines that affect your mood), such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.

Bruxism may be associated with taking a group of antidepressants known as SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor). Types of SSRIs include Paroxetine, Fluoxetine, and Setralin. Check with your doctor before stopping any medication.

Bruxism in children

By some estimates, 15-33% of children grit their teeth. This usually happens after they have first teeth and again after they have permanent teeth. The habit usually ends when their adult teeth are fully formed.

After teething occurs, teeth grinding can occur for the same reasons as in adults (for example, malocclusion, stress, or anxiety). Bruxism is considered a more common condition during school exams.

Bruxism treatment

Treatment for bruxism focuses on:

1. Eliminate any cause. For example, it may involve managing stress or anxiety through counseling or other therapies in a psychiatrist using relaxation techniques or (in some cases) taking certain medications, such as muscle relaxant.
2. Tooth protection. Your dentist may place an oral care device called a splint or mouth guard. casing, splinting evens out the bite (the way your upper and lower teeth converge) and protects teeth from night wear time.
3. Fighting the habit. Habit-changing therapies can help you break your teeth-grinding habit.
4. Treating and preventing any dental problems.

Eliminate the root cause

Psychological therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be used to treat any underlying stress and anxiety that can lead to teeth grinding.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps a person deal with their problems by changing the way you think and act.

If bruxism is caused by stress, it is important to try to relax and get enough sleep. There are several things you can do to help calm yourself before bed, for example:

• yoga;
• deep breathing;
• massage;
• reading;
• take a bath;
• listen to music.

Here, everyone is individually. Your healthcare provider may also recommend stress management techniques.

Teeth protection

Mouthguards and splints

You may need to wear a mouth guard or splint. They prevent the movement of the teeth by equalizing the pressure in the mouth.

Mouth guards or splinting teeth also create a physical barrier between your teeth to protect them from further damage and help reduce any noise you make at night.

1. The mouthguards look the same as the sports mouthguards on boxers. They are available at pharmacies and from your dentist. The mouthguards are usually made of flexible rubber-like plastic and can be adjusted to fit your mouth. Mouthguards that are purchased from a pharmacist are unlikely to work in the same way as those made by a dentist.
2. A dental splint (also known as an occlusal splint or bite plate) is usually made from harder plastic and is tailored specifically to fit top or bottom teeth. A splint is usually more expensive than a mouthguard.

Although splints and protective devices are believed to help reduce muscle activity in your jaw at night, they can only control the condition, they do not cure it.

Dentists will use mouth guards or splints as their primary treatment for bruxism, and stress management will be provided to doctors or other specialists in the treatment of nervous disorders.

Lower jaw advancement devices

Mandibular advancement devices are commonly used to treat sleep apnea and snoring, but research has shown that they may be effective for nocturnal bruxism.

The device is worn at night to keep the lower jaw in front and close it during sleep. The simple device consists of two mouth guards (one for the upper teeth and one for the lower teeth) connected together so that the lower jaw protrudes slightly when worn.

Ask your dentist or general practitioner about this therapy and where you can purchase the device.

Break the habit

You can try changing the habit to stop grinding your teeth.

For example, you might try recording how many times you gnash your teeth each day and find out when and why (for example, when you're stressed or concentrating).

This will help you become more aware of your habit and break it down more easily.

You can try to break this habit by exercising yourself by relaxing your jaw when you feel like you are cutting or chattering your teeth. For example, you can open your jaw slightly or gently place your tongue between your upper and lower teeth.

However, there is no scientific evidence that this approach will cure your bruxism.

The technique of treatment of habits can be occupied by both specially trained therapists, and you can try it yourself using a special course or book, and the attending physician will be able to advise you.

Treating and preventing dental problems

It is important to have regular dental checkups and treat any bruxism-related problems as quickly as possible to prevent further damage.

If, for example, grinding teeth causes tooth wear and this is left untreated, a nerve may die and abscess. You may need dental root canal treatment.

In severe cases, the tooth may split in two. If this happens, the dentist will not be able to save the tooth and will need to be removed.

In most cases, dental problems such as misalignment, wear and tear, crooked or missing teeth, can be treated with restorative dental procedures such as false teeth, onlays and crowns. This can sometimes change the chewing surface of your teeth and prevent you from grinding your teeth.

Examples of dental procedures that may be needed to treat problems caused by bruxism include:

• Tooth filling. Fillings can be used to reshape teeth with a lower crown height if worn teeth become sensitive.
• Crowns and root canal treatment. Dental crowns are used as a last resort when teeth are damaged due to wear or cracks caused by bruxism. The crown is placed directly over what is left of the tooth, making it strong and giving it the appearance of a natural tooth. If a nerve has been damaged and becomes infected, you may need root canal treatment first. Therapy involves removing all infection inside the root, cleaning and filling to prevent further infection.

Important: Dental therapy can be expensive, the more work for the dentist, the more difficult it is, the more expensive it will be, so do not postpone the visit to the doctor, it is better to come earlier.

Drug treatment

Typically, medications are not used as a treatment for bruxism.

But, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), type Ibuprofencan be used to relieve any pain or inflammation (tissue swelling) around your jaw that results from cracked teeth.

In some cases, your doctor may advise you to take Muscle relaxant before bed to relieve symptoms.

If you develop bruxism as a side effect of taking antidepressants, your doctor may advise you to change your medication.

Tips for preventing bruxism (prevention and recommendations)

• Visit your dentist for regular checkups.
• Train yourself not to grind your teeth: when you find yourself doing this, arrange Tip of the tongue between the teeth so that the jaw muscles get used to relaxing.
• Try to understand any stress and anxiety you are experiencing and how it affects you. Use relaxation techniques.
• Cut back on alcohol, as alcohol aggravates sleep bruxism and quit smoking.
• Do not use recreational drugs such as ecstasy and cocaine, or any other drug if you do.
• Do not chew pencils, gum, or anything that is not food.

Forecast

There is no cure for bruxism, although you can overcome the habit of grinding your teeth by trying various methods (for more information, see in the treatment section).

For people with known stress-related problems, cognitive behavioral therapy can help relieve any underlying stress or anxiety.

At the same time, you may need to wear mouth guards or wear a splint and splint in your mouth to protect your teeth from wear and tear.

If left untreated, bruxism can lead to dental problems such as wear and tear, cracked teeth, and inflammation (swelling), as well as pain around the jaw joint.

Typically, medications are not used to treat bruxism.