Bruxism: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Teeth Grinding
Bruxism represents involuntary teeth grinding during nocturnal sleep. This disorder is characterized by jaw clenching and leads to complications for oral health. Approximately 15% of the population suffers from bruxism.
There is distinction between nocturnal bruxism, occurring during sleep, and diurnal bruxism, manifesting during periods of psychoemotional tension. The nocturnal form is considered more dangerous.
Bruxism Symptoms
Clinical manifestations of the disease affect various body systems. The main signs of the pathology are characteristic changes in the oral cavity.
Local symptoms include dental enamel wear, appearance of chips and cracks on tooth crowns, increased sensitivity and periodontitis. Destruction of fillings and prosthetics is frequently observed due to excessive load during grinding episodes.
Patients report morning headaches in the temporal region. Characteristic is tenderness of masticatory muscles upon palpation, sensation of jaw stiffness after awakening. Often clicking in the temporomandibular joint occurs.
General signs include sleep quality disturbances, daytime fatigue. Family members may complain about loud grinding during nighttime. Patients develop neck pain due to muscular overstrain.
Causes of Bruxism Development
The etiology of the disease has multifactorial character, including dental, neurological and psychological aspects. Disorders of the central nervous system play a leading role.
Dental causes include:
Malocclusion (occlusal disorders).
Orthodontic treatment with bracket systems.
Among dental factors are malocclusion, dental position anomalies, poor-quality fillings and prosthetics. Occlusal contact disorders lead to jaw clenching.
Neurological causes include nervous system disorders, epilepsy, Parkinson's syndrome. Important role is played by muscle tone regulation disorders and masticatory musculature dysfunctions.
Psychological factors are represented by chronic stress, anxiety, depression. Elevated emotional tension contributes to involuntary contraction of masticatory muscles.
Additional risk factors include alcohol abuse, caffeine, antidepressant intake. In children, the pathology is often related to tooth eruption and nervous system development peculiarities.
Bruxism Diagnosis
Diagnosis determination is based on comprehensive examination, including clinical inspection, anamnesis collection and additional investigation methods. Important is the assessment of teeth and temporomandibular joint condition.
During examination, the dentist pays attention to enamel wear signs, presence of chips, cracks, condition of fillings and prosthetics. Palpation of masticatory muscles is performed to detect painful indurations.
Special diagnostic methods include use of brux-checkers - diagnostic splints allowing determination of tooth contact areas. Electromyography of masticatory muscles helps evaluate their activity.
Polysomnography represents the standard for nocturnal bruxism diagnosis, allowing registration of grinding episodes during sleep. Computed tomography of temporomandibular joint is prescribed when structural changes are suspected.
In complex cases, neurologist consultation is indicated to exclude nervous system pathology. Psychotherapist helps evaluate patient's psychoemotional state.
Bruxism Treatment
The therapeutic approach has comprehensive character and depends on identified disease causes. Main directions include elimination of provocative factors, protection of teeth from damage.
Occlusal therapy involves manufacturing individual protective splints preventing dental arch contact during episodes. Devices are manufactured according to patient's jaw impressions.
Medicamentous treatment includes application of muscle relaxants to reduce masticatory muscle tone, antidepressants for psychoemotional disorders. In severe cases, botulinum toxin injections are indicated.
Physiotherapeutic methods include masticatory muscle massage, ultrasonic therapy. Exercises for facial and cervical musculature relaxation are effective.
Psychotherapeutic assistance is directed toward stress elimination, teaching relaxation methods. Important is sleep regimen normalization, caffeine and alcohol limitation.
Features of Bruxism Treatment in Barcelona and Problem-Solving Methods in Spain
Spanish dentistry presents advanced approaches to bruxism diagnosis and treatment using modern technologies. Barcelona clinics apply innovative digital modeling methods for manufacturing high-precision protective splints.
Special attention is paid to comprehensive approach, including collaboration of dentists, neurologists and psychotherapists. Modern equipment allows conducting detailed diagnostics.
In Spain, botulinum therapy is widely applied as an effective method for reducing masticatory muscle activity. The procedure is performed by qualified specialists.
Rehabilitation programs include physiotherapy complexes and psychological support. High medical care standards ensure effective bruxism problem resolution.
What Triggers Bruxism?
Main triggering factors: stress and psychiatric disorders causing masticatory muscle spasm especially at night. Antidepressants reduce control over jaw movements. Facial muscle trauma, incorrect dental occlusion, respiratory disorders (sleep apnea) trigger clenching episodes.
Prevention: limit caffeine, normalize sleep, eliminate harmful habits. Therapist recommends comprehensive approach to cause elimination.
Who Suffers from Bruxism?
Bruxism occurs in 10-15% of adults. Children aged 3-7 years are a risk group due to occlusion formation and tooth eruption. Parents complain about loud nighttime grinding lasting several seconds. People in stressful professions suffer from diurnal form of the disease. Patients with occlusal defects and tooth loss are at risk. Without orthodontist treatment, serious complications are possible. Women more frequently seek help at first disease signs and are ready to perform necessary tests for diagnosis.
