BRUXISM - is the term that refers to an incessant grinding and clenching of the teeth. Bruxism usually occurs during sleep. Bruxers (persons with bruxism) are often unaware that they have developed this habit, and often do not know that treatment is available until damage to the mouth and teeth have been done.
However, each individual may experience bruxism symptoms differently. Bruxism can affect adults for an indefinite period of time.
The term clenching means you tightly clamp your top and bottom teeth together, especially the back teeth. The stressful force of clenching causes pressure on the muscles, tissues and other structures around your jaw.
This can lead to jaw joint disorders, jaw pain and soreness, headaches, earaches, damaged teeth, and other problems. These bruxism symptoms are often collectively referred to as "TMJ" or temporomandibular joint problems.
Grinding is when you slide your teeth over each other, generally in a sideways, back and forth movement. This action may wear down your teeth and be noisy enough at night to bother sleeping partners. Like clenching, grinding can lead to jaw pain and other problems.
It is sometimes done to such extent that it damages the occlusal surfaces of the teeth, particularly the molar teeth, and may contribute to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.
People can clench and grind subconsciously during both the day and night, although sleep-related bruxism is often the bigger problem because it is harder to control. The condition is the third most common form of sleep disorder, after sleep talking and snoring.
Research indicated that people who brux are more likely to snore, have pauses in breathing during sleep and develop sleep apnea. In most cases, bruxism is mild and may not require treatment. However, it can be frequent and violent and can lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems.
Unfortunately, people with sleep bruxism usually aren't aware of the habit, so they aren't diagnosed with the condition until complications occur. That's why it's important to know the signs and symptoms of bruxism and to seek regular dental care.
Bruxism causes are not completely agreed upon, but daily stress may be the trigger in many people. Some people probably clench and never feel symptoms. Whether or not bruxism causes pain and other problems may be a complicated mix of factors.
How much stress you are under, how long and tightly you clench and grind, whether your teeth are misaligned, your posture, ability to relax, diet, sleeping habits, and other factors.
Alcohol and drug use is suspected to increase the occurrence of bruxism. Adults with bruxism have increased occurrence of grinding during times of job, family, or health stress.
Although this habit is unintentional, oral health specialists often point to excessive stress and certain personality types as typical causes of bruxism. Bruxism often affects persons with nervous tension such as anger, pain, or frustration, and/or persons with aggressive, hurried, or overly-competitive tendencies.
More often, psychological bruxism causes includes:
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Suppressed anger or frustration
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Aggressive, competitive or hyperactive personality type
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Anxiety, stress or tension
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Children with bruxism usually stop grinding their teeth before adulthood. Some researchers think children brux because their top and bottom teeth don't fit together comfortably. Others believe that children grind their teeth because of tension, anger, allergy problems, or as a response to pain from an earache or teething.
