Teeth grinding in a dream in adults is a pathological process associated with an involuntary contraction of the masticatory muscles. The correct name for such a violation is bruxism. With the refusal of timely therapy, complications associated with erasing teeth, periodontal diseases may develop. The causes of this condition must be clarified.
Basic information
Teeth grinding in a dream occurs due to a spasm of the masticatory muscles, involuntary movement of the lower jaw. In preschool age, such a pathology occurs in 50% of children. Among adults, this problem is less common (no more than 10%). Many factors can provoke the development of pathology. If a gnashing of teeth appears in a dream in an adult, he should undergo a comprehensive medical examination.
Initially, bruxism does not carry dangerous consequences. But if the patient refuses treatment, unpleasant complications may develop: enamel chips, pain in the masticatory muscles, pathological mobility of a number, and more. The causes of gnashing of teeth in a dream in adults can be different. Below we will consider the most common factors that provoke the development of a violation.
Psychological
The risk of developing bruxism increases significantly if an adult patient sleeps little and works hard. As a result, physical and emotional overwork is increasing. A person is constantly in a state of stress, chewing muscles remain tense even during a night's rest. Teeth grinding can develop suddenly after a strong emotional shock. Often, such symptoms are accompanied by mental disorders. Short-term manifestations of bruxism can be observed in emotionally stable people. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a doctor.
If gnashing of teeth appears in a dream in adults, psychosomatics is considered by specialists in the first place. The doctor finds out how correctly the patient adheres to the regime of the day, how much he rests. If in recent times you had to survive a stressful situation, you should definitely inform a specialist about this.
Neurological
Teeth grinding in a dream in adults can develop against a background of impaired activity of the central or peripheral nervous system. As a result, when a person is in a relaxed state, uncontrolled motor disorders develop. In addition to bruxism, the patient may experience sleep disturbances, nightmares, snoring, apnea.
Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve often leads to the development of grinding of teeth in a dream. During the disease, tonic tension of the chewing muscles is observed. In addition to bruxism, neuralgia will manifest itself with other symptoms. With inflammation of the trigeminal nerve there is a pronounced pain syndrome. The patient can’t move his jaw normally, speak, chewing becomes difficult.
Dental
Teeth grinding in a dream in adults who are in a stable emotional state is often associated with impaired functionality of the jaw system. Very often bruxism accompanies adentia. This disease is associated with complete or partial loss of teeth. The absence of molars can also be congenital. In this case, the pathology is due to hereditary factors.
"Supercomplect" is another dental anomaly that can lead to gnashing of teeth in a dream in adult women and men. With a fully formed series, the patient has additional rudiments. The exact reasons for the development of such a violation are not fully understood. The disease is most often hereditary.
The causes of gnashing of teeth in a dream in adults may be due to malocclusion. Most often, patients have a hereditary predisposition to such a violation. You can correct the bite in childhood with the help of a special plate. In older pain, a bracket system can be installed. In rare cases, the bite is broken already in adulthood due to improper or untimely dental treatment. Improperly selected braces or dentures can also lead to bruxism.
Osteopathic
If an adult has a gnashing of teeth in a dream, the causes may be associated with diseases of the spine. In a relaxed state (in a dream), the neuromuscular system tries to unlock the cranial sutures. Such a pathology especially often develops with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. In addition to night grinding of teeth, the patient will complain of drawing pains in the shoulder area, dizziness, and more.
Bruxism often appears in patients suffering from scoliosis, arthrosis, radiculitis.
Other reasons
Some factors have not found scientific confirmation. However, it is with them that many associate grinding of teeth in a dream. Worms, according to many, can lead to the development of bruxism. It is possible that parasites are present in the patient's body. However, the rattle is caused not by the invasions themselves, but by complications that develop as a result of infection.
Many argue that bruxism develops against a background of impaired nasal breathing. Teeth grinding in a dream in adults can be observed with adenoids, curvature of the nasal septum, chronic rhinitis, polyps in the nose.
A tendency to develop bruxism is observed in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. Risk factors include recent traumatic brain injuries, excessive abuse of energy drinks, alcohol, antidepressants, and sleeping pills.
At the same time, several unfavorable factors may be present at once that contribute to the development of nocturnal bruxism in an adult patient.
Symptomatology
Teeth grinding in a dream in adult men and women is not always detected immediately. It is especially difficult to diagnose such a disorder if the patient lives alone. The main manifestation of the pathological process is the characteristic sound of friction of the teeth of the upper and lower rows. Episodes of bruxism can be repeated several times a night and last an average of 10-15 seconds. At the initial stage of the disease, only the patient’s relatives can notice a rattle.
Over time, other features are added. The next morning, the patient may feel headache, discomfort in the jaw area, toothaches, dizziness. I can’t fully sleep. With a long course of bruxism, pathological abrasion of the teeth develops, chips and cracks in the enamel appear. The molars gradually become loose and begin to fall out, the gum tissue becomes thinner.
Diagnostics
Why should teeth grinding in a dream in adults be detected as early as possible? The fact is that such a violation can lead to the development of serious complications. Until the complete loss of teeth. It is not always easy to identify the exact causes of the pathological process. Good results bark only a comprehensive examination using several techniques.
If bruxism is suspected, the patient should seek the help of a dentist. The doctor must first find out which teeth are exposed to the most stress due to night grinding. This is done using special caps, which are made in the shape of the jaw of the patient. The patient uses these mouthguards for 10-15 days, then a specialist examines their condition.
Pathological activity of the masticatory muscles can be detected thanks to the following methods:
- Electromyography. Thanks to special electrodes that connect to the human body, it becomes possible to study the motor activity of individual nerve and muscle fibers. The study can be prescribed for various injuries, radiculitis, neuropathies, as well as for suspected Parkinson's disease.
- Polysomnography. A comprehensive examination of the patient is performed during sleep. The technique makes it possible to assess the condition of the patient during night rest, to identify any disturbances in the activity of muscles, the nervous system and the brain.
Differential diagnosis can be carried out with the involvement of related specialists: psychologist, osteopath, neuropathologist, otolaryngologist.
How to treat teeth grinding in a dream?
The method of treatment of the disease depends on the severity, as well as the causes that cause it. If bruxism is caused by psychogenic factors, the help of a psychologist is needed. The patient attends trainings, learns breathing exercises and self-control. With severe bruxism, herbal-based sedatives are prescribed. In the most advanced cases, antidepressants are used. But drugs from this category should be used exclusively under the supervision of a specialist, not exceeding the recommended dosage.
If problems with the spine are identified, the patient can be prescribed relaxing baths, therapeutic massage. Manual therapy shows good results. This technique is shown if, in addition to night grinding of teeth, the patient complains of headaches, dizziness, discomfort in the spine.
Dental treatment for bruxism can be quite lengthy. First of all, special protective caps made of rubber or soft plastic are made. Selective grinding of teeth can be performed. Molars and incisors, which during the night rattle experience the greatest load, lend themselves to processing.
If the cause of bruxism is malocclusion, the patient is shown treatment by an orthodontist. Therapy can be carried out using eliners or bracket systems. The latter option is more preferable. With its help, it is possible to change the bite, get rid of the night rattle in just a few months. In addition, almost every patient can afford a simple bracket system.
Eliners choose a lot for aesthetics. These are completely transparent plastic devices in the form of cap. Eliners are easily removable, they can be used both at night and during the day. The price of such devices will be significantly higher than that of braces.
In the absence of one or more teeth, crowns or implants are placed on the patient. After completion of bruxism therapy, the specialist undertakes to eliminate the consequences of the disease - teeth restoration is performed, fillings are installed in damaged molars and incisors.
Forecast
With timely request for help, the prognosis is usually favorable. An integrated approach allows you to completely cope with an unpleasant pathology. It is important to find out as soon as possible what the grinding of teeth in a dream means and start the appropriate therapy.
Refusal of treatment is fraught with unpleasant complications. Erasing the hard tissues of enamel and dentin can lead to the complete loss of initially healthy teeth. In such patients, the likelihood of developing periodontal disease at a young age significantly increases. In addition, patients with bruxism have a poor rest at night. As a result, well-being worsens significantly, and the risk of developing depression increases.
Prevention
To reduce the risk of developing the disease in the future, it is necessary to normalize the psycho-emotional state. It is also important to get rid of bad habits. And it is imperative to timely treat the diseases of the spine and nervous system.
Conclusion
If teeth grinding is observed during sleep, the causes can be very different. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a qualified specialist through a comprehensive examination. You cannot postpone therapy. Otherwise, harmless bruxism will lead to complete loss of teeth.