Bruxism
Bruxism is called gnashing of teeth, manifested by attacks of five to ten minutes during sleep. Bruxism is not a fatal condition, but it is quite problematic. Usually, due to gnashing of teeth, the load on the temporomandibular joint increases significantly. Teeth are erased very quickly. The disease has another side effect—the characteristic grinding of teeth prevents others from sleeping.
CAUSES OF BRUXISM
For some time, the grinding of teeth was attributed to the manifestations of symptoms of helminthic invasion. However, recent studies conducted by doctors have proved that this is not the case.
Unfortunately, the causes of this disease have not been fully studied. According to some doctors, such actions during sleep can be a protective reaction of the body to the stress suffered during the day, to the general increased nervous excitability. But the severity of the disease depends on how stress-resistant the patient’s body is. The development of bruxism can also be influenced by factors such as: the nature of sleep, diet and the correctness of the bite.
SYMPTOMS OF BRUXISM
The main symptom of bruxism is loud gnashing of teeth, but there are also a number of other symptoms:
Depression.
Anxiety.
Stress, increased tension.
Headache.
Pain in the ears.
Insomnia.
Increased sensitivity of teeth.
Swelling and pain in the temporomandibular joint.
Formation of dental cracks.
Eating disorders, lack of appetite.
DIAGNOSIS OF BRUXISM
There is no well-developed method for diagnosing bruxism. Each case of the disease is determined individually. But there are several mandatory procedures that are carried out in the diagnosis of bruxism. This is a polysomnographic study. When it is carried out, a spasm of the chewing muscles is detected during sleep, and epilepsy is also excluded.
TREATMENT OF BRUXISM
Treatment of this disease is aimed at maximizing the reduction of pain in the patient. Systems are actively used to relieve increased stress on the temporomandibular joint. Massage gives an excellent therapeutic effect. If the patient does not want or cannot visit a doctor, then you can cope with the discomfort yourself. Below we present a number of measures and rules, observing which you can reduce the impact on your body of bouts of bruxism:
Avoid eating hard foods, “rubber” steaks, nuts and other solid foods.
Cold or warm, moist compresses will help relieve tension in the jaw muscles.
Sleep more.
Drink as much liquid as possible.
Learn a few relaxation techniques, they perfectly relieve stress.
Do relaxing exercises for the muscles of the face and neck several times a day.
Unfortunately, there is no specific specialist among dentists who dealt with the problems of the jaw muscles. However, if eating is difficult and it hurts the patient to open his mouth, then you should consult a dentist. A full examination is prescribed, including radiography.
You should be well aware that these symptoms can also mean the development of more serious diseases than bruxism. It can be arthritis, injury of the cervical spine and much more. A very long time ago, special dental splints were invented, they do not allow the teeth to close tightly and thereby prevent friction against the tooth enamel of one tooth with the crown of another. You can also use special mouth guards that will reduce the load on the jaws and teeth. But these methods do not always give results, and you have to resort to surgery on the muscles of the face. But there are cases of healing from this pathological condition with the help of alternative medicine and autosuggestion.
