Teeth grinding or bruxism: a disease or a bad habit?

Physiological explanation of bruxism

Teeth grinding occurs due to spasm of the chewing muscles, clenching of the jaws and their strong movement. The peculiarity of the disease is the fact that it occurs involuntarily. Most often this occurs during the patient's sleep at night, but some also worry during the daytime. In the first case, the pathology is called bruxism, in the second - bruxiomania. During the period of primary occlusion formation, the disease manifests itself in at least half of children. This is considered normal if it goes away by age 7.

Consequences.

If bruxism is observed for quite a long time and is not treated in any way, then it can cause the development of other serious diseases, such as:

• loosening of teeth, tooth fractures;
• pathological increased abrasion of tooth enamel and tooth tissue, abrasion of dentin;
• caries;
• inflammation of periodontal tissues;
• malocclusion;
• increased sensitivity of tooth enamel;
• headache;
• pathologies of the joints of the temporomandibular region;
• spasms and pain in facial muscles.

A person suffering from teeth grinding can alienate many people, which gives rise to a complex of psychological problems and a feeling of internal discomfort. All this indicates that people who grind their teeth in their sleep need medical attention.

Symptoms of Bruxism

Grinding of teeth during sleep is the main symptom of bruxism. Most often, the patient does not notice this symptom on his own, and complaints from loved ones and relatives become the basis for contacting a doctor. At night, the disease manifests itself as short-term attacks of grinding or chattering of teeth, excessive tension in the masticatory muscles. It is also possible to increase blood pressure and increase heart rate during an attack. A person does not wake up from this, so he cannot remember how he is feeling.

During the day, indirect signs of bruxism appear, which can also be the basis for a diagnosis. These include:

• headaches, dizziness, drowsiness and fatigue;
• pain in the temporomandibular joint, fatigue of the masticatory muscles;
• with a long course of the disease - pathological abrasion of dental surfaces, increased sensitivity of teeth, the appearance of chips and cracks in the enamel;
• it is possible to develop periodontitis (inflammation of the tissues surrounding the teeth), as a result of which the teeth begin to loosen and fall out;
• During an attack of bruxism, there is a significant load on the dental surfaces, which can cause chips of fillings, crowns, restorations, as well as cracks or complete breakage of dentures.

Teeth grinding at night is not just a dental problem. Patients who suffer from regular bouts of bruxism develop temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Painful sensations appear in this area, which intensify while moving the jaw, when talking or eating. The chewing muscles are symmetrically inflamed and increased in volume, tense. The pain can spread not only to the temporomandibular joint area, but also to the person’s neck and shoulders.

In some cases, constant grinding of teeth causes damage to the oral mucosa. In such patients, the disease is accompanied by gingivitis - inflammation of the gums. There is also a risk of developing lichen planus, growths (fibroids) in the mouth, a scalloped tongue (scalloped), as well as scratches and abrasions if you wear dentures.

Children

According to statistics, every second child experiences attacks of teeth grinding in their sleep. Experts attribute this to the fragile child’s psyche, which cannot cope with real emotional stress. The main directions of work to correct the situation are timely contact with a neurologist, analysis and improvement of the psychological climate in the children's team and in the family.

Another cause of childhood bruxism is sometimes teething and changing teeth. Experts warn that ignoring the problem can lead to such serious consequences as:

• inflammation of the gums;
• premature tooth loss;
• development of bite pathologies;
• damage to the temporomandibular joint.

Parents often associate children's teeth grinding with the appearance of worms in the child's intestines, but pinworms and other parasites provoke teeth grinding in only 30% of children, so to eliminate risks, it is necessary to show the child to a pediatrician.

In most cases, grinding attacks disappear on their own with age, but contacting a pediatric dentist is necessary if the attacks are prolonged and occur frequently, if there are noticeable signs of gum inflammation or tooth decay, and if bruxism occurs after the age of seven.

Possible causes of the disease

Bruxism can occur in patients of any age. If in childhood it is associated with teething and bite formation, then in adults it has several theories of origin. The disease can be a dental, psychological, neurogenic problem, and is also studied in the field of otolaryngology. Since a single cause for the development of this pathology has not been established, several theories of its development have been identified.

The causes of bruxism are determined individually. It is possible that the disease will develop due to a combination of several factors at the same time. The problem of night grinding continues to be studied by leading doctors around the world. In particular, specialists from the Clinical Institute of the Brain successfully diagnose this disease and determine its causes on an individual basis.

Most common reasons

Among the main causes of bruxism, experts identify:

• Psychological problems (emotional overstrain, stressful situations, increased nervous stress): in 70% of cases, most researchers see this as the root cause of overexcitation, leading to uncontrolled contractions of the jaw muscles.
• Dental problems (dental anomalies): malocclusion, lack of units of the dentition or its “supercompleteness”, poor-quality treatment or prosthetics, poorly selected braces.
• Otolaryngeal diseases and pathologies (deviated nasal septum, rhinitis, sinusitis, “lower” breathing, adenoids).
• Complications of Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases, traumatic brain injuries.

Modern science has established that bruxism can be inherited.

A bad habit of grinding teeth, similar to a spontaneous desire to bite nails, pencils, etc., cannot be ruled out.

Diagnostic methods

Since bruxism is considered a polyetiological disease, before starting its treatment it is important to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis. To begin with, a standard procedure is prescribed using brux checkers. These devices are mouthguards to be worn at night. After the patient wears them overnight, the impression is sent to the dentist for analysis. This way you can determine which teeth are experiencing overstrain, and how much the disease is related to the bite and location of a person’s teeth.

In order to diagnose pathologies of the masticatory muscles, electromyographic analysis is used. This research method will allow you to assess the condition of the muscles at rest and in motion. This way you can determine myofascial pain syndrome, and by the location and function of the muscles, you can identify incorrectly selected and installed prostheses. In children, the mechanism of development of the disease is often associated with the process of teething. Symptoms of bruxism will help parents identify and pay attention to their child’s malocclusion in the early stages.

You may need to consult a neurologist, otolaryngologist, psychotherapist, or maxillofacial surgeon. Based on the data of a comprehensive examination, a final diagnosis can be made and a suitable treatment regimen can be prescribed. The Clinical Brain Institute employs qualified specialists who have successful experience in treating bruxism in patients of all ages. There are also all conditions for examination using instrumental methods.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Severe teeth grinding at night lasts no more than 10 seconds, but can be repeated several times. At the same time, a person’s breathing rhythm changes and their pulse quickens. But only loved ones can notice such episodes, because the patient himself does not control himself in his sleep. After the attacks, the patient feels tired, drowsiness, headache and discomfort in the lower and upper jaws.

Daytime bruxism is easier to track, but again, it’s clearer from the outside. Not every person under stress notices that they clench their jaws tightly.

Main features

Diagnosis in dentistry is difficult and is based on patient complaints and clinical signs such as:

• pathological abrasion of enamel;
• discomfort in the masticatory muscles or their hypertrophy;
• strong clenching of the jaw upon awakening;
• morning fatigue;
• headache in the temporal region in the morning.

The classic method of hardware diagnostics is polysomnography. The study includes:

• an electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure brain activity;
• an electromyogram (EMG), which measures the activity of the masticatory muscles;
• oximetry to know the level of oxygen saturation in the blood;
• video and audio recordings to exclude movements not related to bruxism.

Unfortunately, this procedure is time-consuming, requires a lot of effort, and is rarely used as a routine diagnosis.

A more affordable way is brooks checkers.

. These are special silicone mouth guards for teeth. They are made from individual casts and worn at night or during the day. When the jaws are clenched, the paint on the surface of the mouthguard is erased where the teeth touch. The physician then examines the changes to determine occlusal contacts.

Treatment of bruxism

The treatment regimen is selected individually, taking into account diagnostic data and the patient’s age. In children under 6-7 years of age, the disease does not require emergency intervention. The patient is monitored by a dentist, but all symptoms in most cases go away on their own, without treatment.

In adults, when signs of bruxism are detected, a set of methods is prescribed. They depend on the form of the disease and its severity, as well as accompanying symptoms. The treatment regimen may include several areas:

• correction of bite and elimination of dental defects;
• drug therapy;
• psychotherapy;
• relaxation techniques;
• massotherapy.

At the first stage, it is important to eliminate all dental problems that can cause spasms of the masticatory muscles. Modern medicine allows you to correct your bite with the help of rigid fixation devices, which also help with anomalies in the location of individual teeth. Missing fragments are successfully replaced with prostheses or implants - the prosthetic method is selected individually. Selective grinding of tooth surfaces may also be necessary. First, it is necessary to completely eliminate those pathologies that interfere with the normal functioning of the temporomandibular joint. When all the symptoms of night grinding disappear, you can begin to eliminate aesthetic problems: restoration of defects, installation of fillings or veneers. Treatment of periodontitis also occurs after the attacks of night grinding stop.

To stop attacks, a course of drug therapy may be necessary. It includes sedatives and sleep aids. Solutions of magnesium, calcium, and B vitamins are also effective - they have a positive effect on the processes of neuromuscular conduction and normalize the functioning of the central nervous system. Treatment tactics are aimed at reducing the manifestations of convulsive syndrome.

The use of soft mouth guards may be necessary as symptomatic therapy. They are made of rubber or soft plastic and perform a protective function. These devices are designed to be worn at night, when the patient cannot control the functioning of the chewing muscles, and spasms occur involuntarily. Soft materials prevent abrasion of dental surfaces and the development of dangerous complications. However, they cannot reduce the frequency of attacks or prevent their occurrence.

Additional methods for treating bruxism

The psychotherapy method is considered effective for bruxism. Attacks of teeth grinding often occur against the background of a weakened psycho-emotional state, so self-control and relaxation practices come to the fore. The approach to each patient is determined individually by the doctor. It may be impossible to discover the root cause of problems on your own.

At home, you can massage your jaw, neck and chin. You should perform smooth movements with your fingers in the upper part of the neck, as well as on the side surfaces of the jaws. The procedure should not be accompanied by painful sensations. Its essence comes down to mechanical relaxation of muscles, as a result of which their spasms occur less frequently. Exercise therapy, a simple set of exercises to increase muscle elasticity, has a similar effect. Throughout the day, it is important to ensure that you keep these muscles relaxed and do not clench your jaw.

Breathing exercises are also useful. It allows not only to cause relaxation of the masticatory muscles, but also to ensure a sufficient supply of oxygen to the tissues of the nervous system. These exercises are also part of the system of self-control practices that are recommended for involuntary teeth grinding. At home, it is enough to practice deep breathing: air is slowly inhaled through the nose so that it fills the lungs as much as possible, and then exhaled through the mouth.

Adults

Adults suffering from bruxism account for only 10-15% of the total number of patients. However, this category of patients cannot hope for self-elimination of the problem. In this case, the chronic course of the disease leads to a number of serious problems, including:

• gradual tooth decay;
• erasing crowns and dentures;
• arthritis of the temporomandibular joint.

These problems are formed against the background of a decrease in the quality of life: a person does not get enough sleep, is constantly under stress, feels psychological discomfort, and depression cannot be ruled out in the future.

It has been established that people in professions that require high concentration, precision and accuracy in work (jewelers, watchmakers, surgeons, senior managers) more often suffer from bruxism.

If you have a marked tendency to bruxism, you should: learn to relax, minimize stress factors, limit food intake before bed, include fruits and solid vegetables in your diet, leave only quiet activities for the evening, take warm baths before bed (all of the above is relevant against the background of competent medical treatment) .

Possible consequences and complications of the disease

Bruxism, if left untreated, gradually progresses. Attacks occur more often and begin to occur even during the daytime. At the same time, a person’s sleep quality deteriorates, performance, memory concentration and attention decrease. The functioning of the central nervous system is also disrupted, and constant daytime sleepiness develops. In addition, the disease can cause more dangerous complications:

• abrasion of the surfaces of individual teeth or dentition, which is accompanied by pain and increases the risk of developing caries;
• inflammatory diseases of the structures surrounding the teeth;
• bleeding gums, which are damaged when the jaws involuntarily close;
• weakening and inflammation of the temporomandibular joint - pain increases while eating or any other jaw movements;
• tension often spreads to the cervical vertebrae, which can trigger the development of osteochondrosis.

It is worth understanding that complications develop only in advanced cases. Modern medicine has all the necessary means and methods for treating bruxism, which allows you to get rid of its manifestations at any age. Despite the fact that attacks occur mainly at night, they are not the only symptom of the disease. Feeling of discomfort, tension and pain in the temporomandibular joint, increased sensitivity of the teeth - these problems should be addressed to a specialist.

Prevention of bruxism

Bruxism can be prevented by paying attention to oral health: it is important to see a dentist in a timely manner, treat diseases of the teeth and gums, and restore the integrity of the dentition if teeth are lost. If you have bite defects or crowded teeth, you should consult an orthodontist.

Prevention involves normalizing the psycho-emotional state, giving up bad habits, coffee and energy drinks; maintaining a daily routine and proper nutrition.

Specialists from STOMA clinics will help adult patients get rid of bruxism: with us you can get help from all specialized doctors - from dental therapists to periodontists and orthodontists.

Prognosis and prevention

The prognosis for bruxism is favorable. Treatment is long-term and can take several months. In childhood, these symptoms require constant monitoring and often go away on their own. As a preventative measure, it is recommended to follow a few simple rules:

• avoid stress and nervous tension;
• normalize sleep and wakefulness;
• do not eat immediately before bed, avoid active physical activity in the afternoon;
• undergo regular preventive examinations at the dentist.

Bruxism is a common pathology. It manifests itself in no less than 40-50% of preschool children and 7-10% of adults. The main difficulty is to detect its symptoms, since they appear at night. Specialists from the Clinical Brain Institute will conduct a full diagnosis, taking into account the patient’s age and physiological condition, and select the most effective treatment regimen.

Types of bruxism

There are three forms of bruxism:

• Noisy or chopping bruxism. Teeth grinding occurs when the chewing muscles and lower jaw move. The long course of the disease is dangerous due to pathological abrasion of teeth.
• Silent bruxism or clenching of teeth. A typical symptom is a tightly clenched jaw without any extraneous sounds. To a lesser extent provokes enamel loss. More often leads to the formation of cracks in tooth enamel.
• Mixed form. Combines the characteristics of the two forms described above.

Depending on the time of occurrence of teeth grinding, bruxism is divided into daytime, nighttime and combined (episodes are repeated regardless of the time of day).