A condition in which a person involuntarily clenches his teeth and gnashing occurs is known in medicine as bruxism. What is it - a bad habit or a sign of some kind of malfunction in the body?
Although this phenomenon is not of mortal danger, it causes a lot of trouble to a person. Such uncontrolled chewing movements, which most often occur during night sleep, create increased loads on the temporomandibular joint. As a result, enamel is damaged, teeth are erased and loosened. In addition, night grinding of teeth negatively affects the muscles, joints, emotional state of a person, and simply prevents others from sleeping.
Symptoms worsen in stressful situations, hard work. Most often, children suffer from this disease, but it also occurs in adults. Both men and women are equally affected by the disease. Bruxism can occur at any age. The causes and treatment of this phenomenon are described in this article.
Causes of the disease
The causes of this unpleasant phenomenon are most often defects in the structure of the jaw, joint pathology, dental problems, as well as psychoemotional factors. Many believe that the grinding of teeth in a dream indicates the presence of worms in the body. This theory has the right to life, since with intoxication with parasites, a deficiency of category B vitamins arises, which are responsible for emotional stability.
According to psychologists, stress, neurosis, depression can provoke the onset of the disease. In this condition, the person has facial and temporomandibular muscles tense, and teeth are compressed strongly. In the afternoon, the pathology is still amenable to control, and in a dream is manifested by gnashing of teeth. Under stress, this phenomenon is periodic. With neurosis, which is the result of prolonged nervous tension, bruxism in adults is more often and painful. The reason and treatment in this case is obvious. It is necessary to stabilize the emotional state of a person.
Adult bruxism may indicate the presence of complexes on a subconscious level. Perhaps a person cannot decide something in life, and this becomes the cause of anger, internal tension. It is possible that this problem is the result of repressed aggression. A well-mannered person does not allow himself to throw out emotions, pushes problems inward, which finds a way out during sleep and manifests itself as a night rattle.
Bruxism can be observed in a person who suffers from sleepwalking, apnea, it happens that the patient is simply tormented by nightmares. Serious disruptions in the functioning of the nervous system can be accompanied by tooth squeaking.
Dental problems, such as malocclusion, uncomfortable dentures or braces, poorly installed fillings, can also provoke the development of a disease such as bruxism in adults. The cause and treatment in this case are determined by the dentist.
A tumor or brain injury, a deficiency of vitamins, the presence of bad habits, fascination with antidepressants, sleeping pills can provoke the development of the disease, and hereditary factors also play an important role.
Signs of the disease
The most important sign of bruxism is a loud gnashing of teeth in a dream. This lasts a few seconds or minutes, can be repeated several times during the night. The attack begins suddenly. The disease can be accompanied by anxiety and tension, malnutrition, insomnia, irritability. Often this phenomenon is accompanied by stress and depression.
In addition, a person suffering from bruxism may experience headaches, earaches, increased sensitivity of teeth and the formation of cracks in them, pain in the facial muscles and joints of the jaw.
Diagnostics
To deal with such a problem is necessary first of all to the dentist. Based on the patient’s complaints and dental examination, the diagnosis is bruxism. The causes and treatment of this pathology are interrelated.
A polysomnographic study may be necessary, with which you can fix the spasm of the masticatory muscles of a sleeping person to exclude epilepsy as a cause of spasm.
Treatment
With a disease such as bruxism, the reasons are difficult to establish, and therefore, getting rid of this unpleasant phenomenon is quite problematic, but still real. The main objective of the treatment of night tooth grinding is the relaxation of the masticatory muscles.
Bruxism in children often goes away on its own. Adults need to pay special attention to treatment. It will be more successful if the problem is detected in the early stages.
The patient needs to unlearn the habit of clenching his teeth and grinding them with nervous tension, in a state of excitement to control his chewing movements. A positive effect is exerted by psychotherapy, which helps to identify and understand the conflict, teaches to cope with everyday difficulties. To get rid of stress, it is recommended to walk a lot before going to bed, read books, listen to relaxing music. You can take sedative fees, which are sold in the pharmacy, it is permissible to cook them yourself. To reduce the convulsive activity of muscles during sleep, it is recommended to take medications that contain calcium, magnesium and B vitamins.
The most effective treatments
These methods include the use of mouthguards, which are selected individually and prevent the erasure of tooth enamel. In severe cases, the use of plastic tires is recommended - special tooth pads to prevent their damage. Such devices reduce the activity of the masticatory muscles.
Successfully used lower jaw promoters in a disease such as bruxism. What it is? This device is in the form of two overlays for teeth, on springs. And they use it mainly to get rid of snoring, but it copes well with such a problem as a grinding of teeth in a dream. With the help of such a device, the jaw and tongue are supported in the extended state, which helps to facilitate breathing. Sometimes Botox is used to treat bruxism.
Kappa for bruxism
Night bruxism, unlike day bruxism, cannot be controlled. In this case, special night mouth guards are used for treatment. The device is worn on the teeth before bedtime, which protects them from erasure.
Kappa are made to individual sizes. During a night attack, all the pressure falls on this device, which allows you to save tooth enamel, protect orthopedic structures. Use of a mouth guard allows to avoid displacement of teeth which constantly rub against each other and loosen. Of course, the orthodontic device does not eliminate the cause of the disease, but protects the teeth from damage. Therefore, its use is only part of complex therapy.
Making mouthguards
For the manufacture of mouthguards use special two-layer materials. For maximum gum comfort, the inside of the apparatus is soft. A solid outer part ensures the durability of this device.
The device is made to individual sizes, which provides greater efficiency. Such a product will not slip and will not fall out during sleep, it will provide protection against excessive pressure on the teeth.
Kappa care is not difficult. In the morning, you need to rinse it with water from the inside. The outside is cleaned with a toothbrush. To store the product use a special case or glass with water. The device must be shown to the dentist from time to time. He will evaluate the condition of the tray and, if there is such a need, he will recommend making a new one.
How to help yourself
For a person, the diagnosis of bruxism may come as a surprise. What is it and how to alleviate symptoms, many are interested. You can try to get rid of the tension of the jaw muscles with the help of a warm moist compress or, on the contrary, ice.
It also works well with massage of the face, neck and shoulder girdle, as well as relaxing gymnastics. During the massage, focus on the pain points, when clicked, painful sensations are given to the head or face.
Learn to relax as much as possible before going to bed, avoid stress. You can try soothing teas or take warm baths before bedtime. At night, you can chew something hard or at least chewing gum - this tires and at the same time soothes the muscles for a while. Avoid foods rich in caffeine and carbohydrates, which lead to excitement of the body. Walk more in the fresh air, go in for sports.
Bruxism in children: cause and treatment
With emotional stress, nervous strain, neurological disorders, children may experience bruxism. What is it and is treatment necessary? This question worries many parents. If the disease is caused by disorders of the nervous system, a neurologist will help.
Bruxism in children may disappear on its own with age. For malocclusion, abnormal dentition, orthodontic treatment may be necessary.
If the causes of bruxism in children lie in overexcitation and stress, the correct organization of the daily regimen is necessary. Active walks in the fresh air are useful to the kid. Offer your child solid foods that will help reduce chewing muscle hyperactivity. Before going to bed, it is necessary to exclude noisy games, massage, a warm bath are useful.
Parents should be alert for strong attacks that last a long time. After them, as a rule, the child complains of a severe headache or toothache. There may be other unpleasant consequences of a disease such as bruxism in children. The cause and treatment in this case are determined by a specialist.
What is the disease dangerous?
Teeth grinding in a dream leads to abrasion of enamel, loosening, tooth loss, headaches, discomfort in the neck and chewing muscles. In some people, the bones of the lower and upper jaw thicken, which is noticeable visually. A person suffering from bruxism experiences psychological discomfort, which affects the quality of life.
In children and young people, the disease often goes away on its own, without causing any consequences. Treatment in such cases is not required.
Alternative methods of treatment
Bruxism in adults, the causes of which are frequent stresses and nervous strain, is successfully treated using folk methods aimed at normalizing the emotional state.
With frequent stressful situations, it is recommended to perform a relaxing facial massage. Yoga exercises contribute to relieving nervous tension. Useful baths with aromatic oils or soothing herbs (chamomile, valerian, mint), teas. You can make warm lotions from herbs that help relieve facial muscle tension. It is necessary to hold such a compress for a long time.
Forecast
It is quite difficult to get rid of the problem yourself. Self-medication can result in serious consequences. With the problem of bruxism, you need to contact the dentist, who will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment. If you follow all the recommendations, getting rid of the problem is quite possible.