According to statistics, about 3% of the world's population suffers from involuntary grinding of teeth. Moreover, only a few are aware of the presence of such a problem until it is too late. It is difficult to disagree that a sleeping person is unlikely to control the unauthorized clenching of the jaws. Only others can tell about troubles.
What are the reasons for grinding your teeth? What are the symptoms of a pathological phenomenon? What can be done to fix the problem? I would like to talk about all this in our publication.
Symptoms
Among the symptoms of bruxism, it is worth noting, first of all, the habit of squeezing the jaw at night, which can be noted by the person’s environment. Occasionally, the phenomenon is observed during the day.
A sign of a pathological condition is also visual grinding of teeth. With the development of the negative process, peculiar sites are formed on the enamel surface. Over time, various wedge-shaped bite defects form, bone bumps and abnormal protrusions of hard tissue occur. Gradually, the teeth begin to crack and crumble.
People who are not aware of the problem of grinding teeth, begin to experience pain in the joints of the lower jaw. Over time, the nuisance begins to affect the muscles of the neck. The phenomenon may be accompanied by regular migraine attacks.
Causes
The main reasons for the development of bruxism:
- The grinding of teeth in a child can be developed as a habit. For example, when a baby likes to gnaw pencils, ballpoint pens, nails, he has a passion for using chewing gums. Gradually developed the so-called muscle memory. The phenomenon takes on a cyclical character.
- Often, regular stress and moral upheaval lead to the formation of bruxism. Strong compression of the jaws acts as a natural response of the brain to such manifestations. By clenching his teeth, a person begins to feel some relief with nervous excitement.
- The cause of grinding teeth in a dream can be anomalies in the structure of the jaw. First of all, we are talking about the wrong bite. Sometimes the problem occurs against the background of the absence of some teeth or the growth of abnormal bone tissue.
- An increased tendency to develop bruxism is observed among people who suffer from Parkinson's disease.
- The cause of the pathological phenomenon often becomes insomnia. The likelihood of problem formation is noted among people whose nightly rest is characterized by frequent awakenings.
- Teeth suffer from grinding in the presence of mental illness. In such individuals, an unstable state of the nervous system is noted. A regular transition from a state of calm to arousal actually causes an unpleasant manifestation.
- The cause of the formation of bruxism can be a traumatic brain injury, which led to the infringement of the nerve endings.
What is the danger of the phenomenon?
The jaws are set in motion by a group of muscles that are responsible for chewing food. The latter are among the strongest in our body. Given the foregoing, one can imagine what happens during grinding of teeth that constantly rub against each other. First of all, tooth enamel suffers from this, the resource of which is constantly decreasing. If the causes of teeth grinding are not determined in time and the problem is not eliminated, abrasion of hard tissues can be observed up to dentin. This will certainly be followed by the appearance of numerous foci of caries, inflammatory events will become more frequent.
Frequent involuntary compression of the jaws causes pathological changes in the tissues of the joints. Against the background of trouble, regular muscle pains make themselves felt. Over time, jaw pathologies form. To avoid such problems, it is important not to delay the fight against bruxism.
Which doctors should I call for help?
If there is a gnashing of teeth in a child’s dream, it is recommended first of all to make an appointment to consult a pediatrician. Such a doctor will determine who will subsequently be involved in the treatment - a dentist or a neurologist. In some cases, the help of an allergist, gastroenterologist, infectious disease specialist may come in handy.
Treatment
You can fix the problem by setting its specific character. If the cause of the phenomenon is anomalies in the structure of the jaw and dentition, in this case, the course of therapy should be determined by a dentist, orthopedist or orthodontist. Correction of the bite and a targeted fight against pathological disorders makes it possible to eliminate such a nuisance as gnashing of teeth over time.
Treating bruxism involves avoiding stress and nervous strain. An effective solution here is to leave with exhausting work and change of occupation. Sometimes it’s enough just to take care of yourself, training the body or taking free time with an exciting hobby.
After consulting a doctor and confirming the diagnosis, a person suffering from bruxism may be prescribed pharmacological agents with a sedative effect. A great addition to the course of taking medications is a visit to the massage room.
An effective tool for the treatment of gnashing of teeth is the use of special tires and mouthguards that are superimposed on the teeth. Similar remedies are used during sleep and rest. Such solutions can potentially be unlearned from closing of teeth for several months. Mouthguards and splints allow the jaw muscles to be relaxed. Among other things, they prevent the abrasion of tooth enamel. These funds are made individually for each patient.
In the most severe clinical cases, a bruxism patient may need the help of a specialist in the field of hypnosis. This treatment option makes it possible to reprogram the mind and put into it the thought that gnashing of teeth is an increased health hazard.
Folk methods
What herbal remedies potentially make it possible to eliminate the problem of gnashing of teeth in adults and children? Among the most effective alternative methods of treatment, the following should be highlighted:
- Decoctions of chamomile, motherwort, linden blossom, hawthorn. These plant components are boiled in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Such funds have a sedative, relaxing effect and are offered to those suffering from bruxism as a drink shortly before going to bed.
- Decoctions based on the root of valerian, motherwort, thyme. A few tablespoons of chopped herbs is poured with a liter of boiled water. Once the liquid has cooled, it is carefully filtered through a fine sieve. The resulting product is added to the bathroom when bathing. The use of such decoctions promotes nervous relaxation.
- Sea salt - dissolves in water before taking a bath. The solution provides excellent relaxation during the procedure for 20-25 minutes.
Prevention
The main preventive solution that will avoid the occurrence of the effect of gnashing of teeth in a dream is relaxation and removal of nervous tension. For these purposes, doctors recommend daily resort to light physical activity. A great idea is playing sports. Such actions make it possible to release excess energy, as well as accelerate the production of endorphins in the body, which are known as hormones of joy.
Equally important in terms of prevention is the observance of a certain diet. The reduction in the amount of sweets and simple carbohydrates consumed helps eliminate gnashing of teeth. Products of a presented nature are best replaced with healthy foods, in particular fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts.
Finally
As you can see, gnashing of teeth is not only a habit and a problem of a physical nature, but also a phenomenon that has a psychic nature. The development of bruxism is a danger to both the condition of the teeth, and chewing muscles, jaw joints. The problems described in our publication must be addressed in a comprehensive manner. The sooner targeted therapy begins, the fewer troubles and complications will have to face in the future.