Jaws are clenched. Bruxism in adults: a harmless condition or a dangerous problem

Another name for this phenomenon is teeth grinding. This is non-functional chronic clenching of teeth, grinding them at night, or constant clenching of teeth during the day. Parafunction of masticatory muscles may occur as a result of contraction or spasm of the temporal or masticatory muscles. The disease is accompanied by the complete disappearance or reduction of the interocclusal space with relative rest.

Often bruxism is neurogenic in nature, this disease is also observed with poorly selected prostheses, malocclusion, allergies, etc. If the parafunction of the masticatory muscles is observed in children, then this may be a consequence of a birth intracranial injury or intoxication with helminths. Bruxism is characterized by pain in the temporomandibular joint, face, noise and ringing in the ears, irritability, mental and sleep disorders. The consequences of the parafunction of the masticatory muscles can be pathological abrasion of teeth, arthrosis of the temporomandibular joints, malocclusion, periodontitis.

When examined by a dentist, the disease is difficult to identify, but in complex cases, patients experience caries, abrasion of dentin, and inflammatory processes in periodontal tissues. This is a consequence of spastic contractions of the jaw.

There are two forms of bruxism:

Bruxomania (daytime bruxism) - the patient has teeth grinding during the daytime, thumb sucking, lip biting and an abnormal jaw position are also observed. One of the concomitant manifestations of the parafunction of the masticatory muscles is very short-cut fingernails and the desire to place something under them.
Nighttime bruxism has many negative consequences. The jaw suffers from excessive stress, the teeth are ground and injured. With bruxism, the load on the jaw is 10 times greater than the usual load during chewing.

According to statistics, gnashing of teeth is observed in 1-3 people out of a hundred. Due to the difficulty in identifying the root causes of the disease, its treatment still remains a rather difficult task in dentistry. Methods of therapy depend on the degree, form and nature of the parafunction of the masticatory muscles. For the effectiveness of treatment, it is also important how timely the disease can be diagnosed.

Causes of bruxism

There is an opinion that the parafunction of the masticatory muscles is a vestige that remained from distant ancestors; they used to grind their teeth with the help of jaw compression. If we consider this issue from the point of view of depth psychology, then clenching the jaw and grinding the teeth are the consequences of subconscious complexes and unfulfillment. A person in a dream tenses up, gets angry, grits his teeth. With the help of jaw tension, aggression accumulated due to the stresses of everyday life is forced out.

Treatment of parafunction of masticatory muscles

To treat the disease, patients are given special injections of Botox into the jaw muscles. However, night guards are the most effective method of protection against grinding of teeth. These are special bioplastic plates. They are worn over the teeth during the night's sleep and protect them from abrasion during night attacks. The consequences and degree of manifestation of "teeth grinding" largely depend on the prevention of the first signs of tension.

Added 02/09/2012

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WHY GRIND YOUR TEETH?

Jaw clenching in animals is an important protective reflex, which allows not only tearing food apart, but also defending itself from predators. It is believed that in the process of evolution it was inherited by man. Therefore, jaw tension is the first reaction to stress in young children. Normally, as they grow older, new, more appropriate ways of responding to unpleasant influences appear, and the child clenches his jaw less and less. But approximately 20% of people have hereditary hyperactivity of masticatory center neurons in the brain. Clenching their teeth is a psychosomatic reaction, a way to release nervous tension through the actions of the body. At the same time, people do not even realize that they are straining their jaws. Not everyone is able to admit: I grit my teeth hard.

When a patient comes to us with hyperfunction of masticatory muscles, we ask him if he clenches his teeth during the day, if he grinds his teeth at night, and he, as a rule, answers that he does not. And then we let him go for a week with the task: to fix his
attention to the position of the lower jaw throughout the day. Imagine their shock when they come a week later and say that indeed their teeth were clenched all the time!

WHAT IS THE DANGER?

The problem is not only in the clenching of the jaws, but also in those conditions in which it most often occurs.

People with bruxism, or overactive chewing muscles, tend to have high levels of anxiety. Constant clenching of the jaws leads to dental problems, primarily to abrasion of tooth enamel. A common complication of bruxism is headache. People usually describe this pain, caused by tension in the muscles of the head, as reminiscent of a "hard hat" or "hoop". In addition, the constant tension of the masticatory muscles causes dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint, which can also lead to constant pain.

There are also aesthetic problems. Hypertrophy of the masticatory muscle provokes hypertrophy of the angle of the lower jaw, that is, bone tissue.

This happens because the muscles are attached to the protrusions of the bones, and the larger the muscle grows, the more voluminous the bone associated with it becomes. Therefore, the lower part of a person's face becomes wide, massive, heavy. The corners of the mouth look lowered, sagging patches of skin quickly form - flew.

DOCTORS WILL HELP

When a patient comes to us claiming: I clench my teeth strongly, we conduct special tests to assess the state of the nervous system. We give brooks-checkers - pads that need to be installed on your teeth before going to bed. Impressions remain on them, allowing you to assess the activity of the masticatory muscles during the night. The deeper the impression, the stronger the man clenched his jaw. Some patients with bruxism return such systems to us with holes through and through, although it is difficult to bite through them.

In severe cases, we refer to polysomnography - a study of nocturnal sleep, which allows you to objectively document the activity of the masticatory muscles. At the moment of wakefulness, we can conduct a surface electromyography of the masticatory muscles - a record of their electrical activity using electrodes installed on the skin of the face.

We also do an orthopantomogram (panoramic x-ray of the teeth) to exclude dentoalveolar pathology and evaluate signs of bone tissue hypertrophy in the region of the angles of the lower jaw.

And based on the results of all these studies, we make a decision on therapy.

First of all, we make a special splint (kappa) for a person, which is installed on the lower jaw. In it, a person sleeps and spends 1-2 hours during the day. Kappa does not allow the jaws to close, serves as an obstacle. In addition, when wearing a mouthguard, the masticatory muscles are stretched, and the spasm gradually disappears. We also ask the patient to fix attention on the position of the jaw (when a person is silent, then the lips are closed, and the jaws should be open) in order to try to unlearn the habit of clenching the jaws. In addition, we evaluate the psycho-emotional state of a person, because teeth are clenched precisely against the background of stress. In this case, anti-anxiety, neurotropic drugs, vitamins can be prescribed. Sometimes consultations of a psychoanalyst are recommended - after the resolution of psycho-emotional problems and intrapersonal conflicts, the problem of hyperactivity of the masticatory muscles may come to naught.

If all these methods do not bring pronounced success, we proceed to the second stage of therapy - these are injections of botulinum toxin tin A. The same substance is used to treat hyperhidrosis, migraines and smooth wrinkles. In this case, we inject it into the masticatory muscle. At the same time, the function of chewing is preserved, but the ability to clench the teeth temporarily decreases. And again, we ask patients to remember this state well, when the muscles are relaxed, in order to learn how to reproduce it in the future.

On average, we do injections once a year. For most people, 2-3 injections are enough, then the person himself weans himself from the habit of clenching his teeth. By the way, this can be seen when a former patient enters the office a year later: if the hypertrophy of the masticatory muscle goes away, the hypertrophy of the bone tissue also goes away, and the volume of the lower half of the face decreases. There is a feeling that the person has lost weight. Improvements are not only visual: they are confirmed by the data of repeated orthopantomogram.

Causes of the disease

According to psychologists, stress, neurosis, depression can provoke the onset of the disease. In this state, a person's facial and temporomandibular muscles are tense, teeth are strongly compressed. During the day, the pathology is still manageable, and in a dream it manifests itself as a gnashing of teeth. Under stress, this phenomenon is periodic. With neurosis, which are the result of prolonged nervous tension, bruxism in adults is more often and more painful. The cause and treatment in this case is obvious. It is necessary to stabilize the emotional state of a person.

Bruxism in adults may indicate the presence of complexes at 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. An educated person does not allow himself to throw out emotions, drives problems inside, which finds a way out during sleep and is manifested by a nightly rattle.

Bruxism can be observed in a person who suffers from sleepwalking, sleep apnea, it happens that the patient is simply tormented by nightmares. Squeaking teeth can be accompanied by serious malfunctions of the nervous system.

Dental problems, such as malocclusion, uncomfortable dentures or braces, and poorly placed 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.

Provoke the development of the disease can be a tumor or brain injury, vitamin deficiency, the presence of bad habits, passion for antidepressants, sleeping pills, hereditary factors also play an important role.

Signs of the disease

The most common symptom of bruxism is grinding your teeth in your sleep. This lasts for a few seconds or minutes, and may repeat several times during the night. The attack starts suddenly. The disease may 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, ear pain, increased sensitivity of the teeth and the formation of cracks in them, pain in the facial muscles and jaw joints.

Diagnostics

To deal with such a problem, it is necessary first of all to see a dentist. Based on the patient's complaints and examination of the teeth, a diagnosis is made - "bruxism". The causes and treatment of this pathology are interrelated.

It may be necessary to conduct a polysomnographic study, with the help of which it is possible to fix a spasm of the masticatory muscles of a sleeping person to rule out epilepsy as the cause of the spasm.

Treatment

With a disease such as bruxism, it is difficult to establish the causes, which means that getting rid of this unpleasant phenomenon is quite problematic, but still real. The main task of treating nighttime teeth grinding is to relax the masticatory muscles.

Bruxism in children often resolves on its own. Adults need to pay special attention to treatment. It will be more successful if the problem is detected early.

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. Psychotherapy has a positive effect, 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 that are sold in a pharmacy, it is permissible to cook them yourself. To reduce the convulsive activity of the muscles during sleep, it is recommended to take drugs that contain calcium, magnesium and B vitamins.

The most effective treatments

These methods include the use of a mouthguard, which is selected individually and prevents the erasure of tooth enamel. In severe cases, the use of plastic splints is recommended - special overlays for teeth that prevent damage to them. Such devices help to reduce the activity of masticatory muscles.

Mandibular protractors are successfully used for such a disease as bruxism. What it is? This device is in the form of two pads on the teeth, on springs. And they use it mainly to get rid of snoring, but it also copes well with such a problem as grinding 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. Botox is sometimes used to treat bruxism.

Kappa for bruxism

Nocturnal bruxism, unlike daytime bruxism, is uncontrollable. In this case, special night guards are used for treatment. The device is worn on the teeth before going to bed, which protects them from abrasion.

Kappa is made according to individual sizes. During a night attack, all the pressure falls on this device, which allows you to save tooth enamel and protect orthopedic structures. The use of a mouth guard avoids the displacement of teeth, which constantly rub against each other and become loose. Of course, the orthodontic appliance does not eliminate the cause of the disease, but protects the teeth from damage. Therefore, its use is only part of complex therapy.

Mouthguard making

For the manufacture of caps, special two-layer materials are used. For maximum comfort of the gums, the inside of the device is made soft. The hard outer part ensures the durability of this fixture.

The device is made to individual sizes, which ensures greater efficiency. Such a product will not slip or fall out during sleep, and will provide protection against excessive pressure on the teeth.

Kappa care is not complicated. In the morning, it should be rinsed with water from the inside. The outer part is cleaned with a toothbrush. To store the product, use a special case or a glass of water. The device must be shown to the dentist from time to time. He will assess the condition of the cap and, if necessary, recommend making a new one.

How to help yourself

For a person, the diagnosis of "bruxism" may come as a surprise. What it is and how to relieve symptoms is of interest to many. You can try to get rid of the tension of the jaw muscles with a warm, wet compress or, conversely, ice.

Massage of the face, neck and shoulder girdle, as well as relaxing exercises, also work well. During the massage, focus on pain points, when pressed, painful sensations are given to the head or face.

Learn how to relax as much as possible before going to bed, avoid stress. You can try drinking soothing teas or taking warm baths before bed. At night, you can chew something hard or at least chewing gum - this is tiring and at the same time soothes the muscles during the rest. Avoid foods rich in caffeine and carbohydrates, which lead to arousal 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 needed? This question worries many parents. If the disease is caused by disorders of the nervous system, a neurologist will help.

Bruxism in children may go away on its own with age. In case of malocclusion, abnormal structure of the dentition, orthodontic treatment may be necessary.

If the causes of bruxism in children lie in overexcitation and stress, the correct organization of the daily routine is necessary. The kid is useful for active walks in the fresh air. Offer your child solid food, which will help reduce the overactivity of the masticatory muscles. Before going to bed, it is necessary to exclude noisy games, massage, a warm bath are useful.

Parents should be alerted by severe 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 dangerous disease

Teeth grinding during sleep leads to enamel abrasion, loosening, tooth loss, headaches, discomfort in the neck and chewing muscles. In some people, the bones of the lower and upper jaws 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 resolves on its own without causing any sequelae. Treatment in such cases is not required.

Folk methods of treatment

Bruxism in adults, which is caused by frequent stress and nervous strain, is successfully treated with the help of folk methods aimed at normalizing the emotional state.

In frequent stressful situations, it is recommended to perform a relaxing facial massage. Yoga classes help relieve stress. Useful baths with aromatic oils or soothing herbs (chamomile, valerian, mint), teas. You can make warm lotions from herbs that help relieve tension in the facial muscles. You need to keep such a compress for a long time.

Forecast

It is quite difficult to get rid of the problem on your own. Self-medication can result in serious consequences. With the problem of bruxism, it is necessary to contact a dentist who will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment. If all the recommendations are followed, it is quite possible to get rid of the problem.

What is bruxism

Clenching your teeth while you sleep is called bruxism. The attack, during which the jaws are tightly compressed, friction occurs and gnashing is heard, lasts from several seconds to 10 minutes and periodically repeats throughout the night. Usually the phenomenon is accompanied by a change in blood pressure, respiratory failure, increased heart rate.

Bruxism is observed in 50% of children, as they grow older, in most cases, grinding of teeth at night stops. But it is better to immediately find out the reasons in order to avoid health problems in the future. In adults, the phenomenon is less common, and it is not considered an independent disease, but this is a clear signal that not everything is in order with the body.

There are two types of bruxism:

Day. It is not so common, it is easier to recognize. Periodically during the day in tense moments, a spasm of the jaw occurs, which takes an unusual, abnormal position. In most cases, self-control will help to cope with daytime bruxism.
Night. Much more dangerous, because during deep sleep a person does not control his actions.

At the time of the attack, pressure is exerted on the jaw, 10 times the load during chewing.

Reason #1: Stress

Scientists from the University of Düsseldorf conducted a study in which 48 subjects participated and proved that stress is the main cause of bruxism. In a dream, the body rests, cleanses itself and gets rid of unnecessary information, and clenching its jaws, a person continues to experience daytime troubles at night. Constant nervous tension is a sure way to develop this disorder.

Bad habits

The occurrence of bruxism can be triggered by lifestyle. The negative impact is:

nicotine addiction;
alcohol consumption in large quantities;
excess daily caffeine;
taking antidepressants.

congenital anomalies

The reason may also be hidden in defects of the facial skeleton, for example, in the wrong structure of the joints that connect the temporal bone and the lower jaw.

Neurology

Disorders in the work of the nervous system provoke various disorders associated with sleep, which are often accompanied by grinding of teeth - apnea, somnambulism, nightmares, enuresis. Also trismus and bruxism are signs of damage to the trigeminal nerve, causing the tone of the masticatory muscles.

Dental causes

Various problems in the oral cavity can also lead to the development of bruxism:

malocclusion;
loss of some teeth;
braces;
dentures, veneers;
poorly placed fillings.

The helminth theory

Symptoms

Gritting of teeth at night is the first and surest sign of bruxism. But to learn about it without outside help is almost impossible. In order to independently identify the disease, you should pay attention to the condition of the enamel, to the presence of an increased reaction to sweet, hot or cold. Perhaps there are new holes, chips, or dentures are damaged for no apparent reason. All this is indirect evidence of the development of a movement disorder.

There are a number of additional signs that may indicate the manifestation of nocturnal bruxism:

throbbing pain in temples in the morning;
dizziness and ringing in the ears;
jaw muscle soreness;
constant feeling of tiredness, drowsiness;
discomfort in the sinuses;
restless sleep and frequent awakenings.

bruxism treatment

First you need to identify the nature of bruxism, determine whether the problem belongs to the dental field or has psychological causes. Based on the results, it is necessary to contact the right specialist as soon as possible in order to avoid serious consequences. The doctor will tell you what to do first and how to get rid of the problem. The most common measures used in the treatment:

Complete dental examination and elimination of all problems in the oral cavity, including correction of malocclusion.
The use of special caps, made individually according to the size of the patient's jaw. With their help, the teeth are protected from injuries, but they cannot completely get rid of the problem.
Injections of a minimal amount of Botox. It prevents tight compression of the jaws, partially paralyzing the muscles of the mouth.
Apply soothing warm compresses before bed.
Taking drugs and vitamin-mineral complexes, including magnesium, calcium, vitamins of group B.
Minimizing stressful situations, allocating time during the day for rest and walks.
Limitation of heavy meals in the evening. This will help to relax the muscles and promote healthy sleep.

If a serious pathology of the jaw is detected, surgical intervention is possible, such as plastic surgery of the articular disc, or the use of laser therapy.

Special exercises and massage

In the treatment of bruxism, exercises and self-massage will help:

Squeezing the jaw with the palms below on both sides, you need to lightly press with your fingers, massaging it in a circular motion. It is advisable to repeat such manipulations, which help relieve tension from the problem area, every day for at least 2-3 minutes.
Chin muscle training. With your mouth slightly open, you need to push your jaw back with your fingers. The procedure is repeated several times during the day, at least 10 times in 1 approach.
Chewing gum exercise. It is necessary to roll the balls of chewing gum from one corner of the mouth to the other. It is better to do this before going to bed, until you feel fatigue in the muscles, then the likelihood that the jaws will be tightly clenched in sleep will decrease dramatically.

Diagnosis of bruxism

The unconsciousness of the manifestation of bruxism means that during the day while awake, involuntarily grinding teeth or at night in a dream, a person does not control this process. But during the day you can hear this sound yourself and interrupt the action. At night, only relatives can stop this painful action and an unpleasant sound, waking up the gnashing one.

Attention! There is a popular method for diagnosing bruxism or the Carolini phenomenon - EMG (electromyography). Sensors are connected to the patient's head, which record the activity of the muscles of the oral cavity.

Before going for a diagnosis, you can identify some of the signs of bruxism yourself. Regular grinding of teeth in a dream sooner or later manifests itself:

Not so obvious, but can be caused by bruxism - tinnitus, pain and clicking when opening the mouth, neck pain, jaw numbness, headache, lack of sleep, weakness.

Bruxism and its consequences for human health

Important! Teeth grinding in sleep - bruxism or ondoterism, if repeated for a long time, affects the health of the sufferer. First of all, the layer of enamel on the teeth becomes thinner, worn out, which leads to their increased sensitivity and caries.

A few years of bruxism and the teeth can wear out, loosen, there are painful sensations in the muscles of the jaws, clicks during chewing and swallowing food. Nocturnal snoring or sleep apnea can result from grinding your teeth, which threatens to stop breathing. Doctors believe that prolonged bruxism can cause mental problems over time.

Teeth grinding in a dream is associated with the fact that even in a dream the nervous system is in tension, the body cannot fully relax and rest. Another indirect consequence of bruxism is that loved ones also suffer from unpleasant loud sounds, who also cannot get enough sleep.

Causes of bruxism in adults

Sometimes teeth grinding in a dream is considered a continuation of the bad habit of biting something during excitement - nails, the tip of a pen or pencil. But the main reason for it is stress. The natural reaction of a person to strong excitement, excessive brain activity, taking certain drugs: caffeine, amphetamines, alcohol, to emotional overexcitation is clenching of teeth. So a person tries to restrain the torn excitement, to the creak of the jaws. This phenomenon may also be associated with problems in the oral cavity - malocclusion, incorrectly designed orthopedic structures, and lack of teeth. Teeth grinding at night and during the day can be the result of insomnia, when a person sleeps too lightly or wakes up often, a symptom of Parkinson's disease.

Important! The cause of bruxism in adults and children at night and in the daytime has nothing to do with the appearance of worms in the intestines.

How to get rid of teeth grinding

In adults, bruxism is treated by eliminating the main symptom - teeth grinding, with the help of:

In parallel with the removal of symptoms, the cause of bruxism is clarified. If we are talking about a constant stressful situation, then a psychotherapeutic effect on the patient's nervous system is applied in order to relieve emotional overstrain, achieve complete relaxation, methods of auto-training and self-hypnosis.

If the case is in the wrong bite, then the patient is sent to the orthodontist to correct it with the help of braces or implantation. When it comes to the use of certain substances or drugs, you have to cancel them, refuse to use (for example, coffee, nicotine, alcohol) or find out the specifics of the side effects of the drug, after consulting with your doctor. Recommended for relieving symptoms of bruxism:

Restoration of tooth enamel, their appearance is possible only after the elimination of the symptoms of bruxism, otherwise this procedure will not make sense or it will have to be repeated again.

Folk remedies

The fight against bruxism with folk remedies is aimed at eliminating its main cause - stress and tension of the nervous system.

Attention! To relax and relieve stress, traditional medicine uses decoctions of medicinal herbs in the form of tea - chamomile, lemon balm, mint, valerian root.

Warm milk with a spoonful of honey at night relaxes, calms and promotes sound sleep. To eliminate the main cause of bruxism - nervous and emotional stress, proven folk remedies are warm baths with aromatic oils, pine needles, sea salt, massage sessions, long vigorous walks before going to bed, airing the bedroom, cool air in it at night. It helps well from the night grinding of teeth by applying a warm, damp towel to the face before going to bed. For sound sleep, it is recommended to listen to calm music at night, read a light, and preferably a boring book.

But the help of professionals is often indispensable. To reliably and permanently get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of bruxism, it is best to contact one of the Moscow dental clinics. Perfectly equipped and staffed by competent specialists, they are able to provide qualified dental care of any degree of complexity, completely solve the problem of grinding teeth.

Prevention of bruxism

Grinding of teeth in a dream is a signal that a certain failure has occurred in the body. In order to prevent such symptoms and learn how to relax effectively, you need moderate physical activity that brings “muscle joy” and promotes the release of endorphins, a balanced diet with an increase in fruits, vegetables, nuts, a decrease in the amount of sweets, fewer stimulating drinks, positive emotions, good rest .
It is necessary to increase the stress resistance of the nervous system, use meditating practices, auto-training, self-hypnosis for this, try to remain calm and have a positive perception of the world in difficult situations. Only if you follow these simple rules, you can not only overcome bruxism, but significantly improve the condition of the body as a whole, prevent many diseases, and strengthen the nervous system.

“My boyfriend grinds his teeth terribly at night, if I wake up, then falling asleep is not an option at all! The creak is in the whole apartment. He himself does not believe ... ”(from the comments).

Involuntary grinding of teeth can occur both during the day and during sleep. Nighttime bruxism is a more serious problem because it is more difficult to control.

Most people are unaware that they are grinding their teeth in their sleep.

Some learn about it from those around them, who are disturbed by unpleasant sounds to sleep.

Others as a result of a dental checkup when their teeth and enamel are found to be worn down. It is especially difficult to understand that he is a bruxer to a lonely person.

By knowing the symptoms of bruxism, it is possible to diagnose a health problem at an early stage and prevent its dangerous consequences, such as infection, gum disease and loss of teeth.

Bruxism is

unconscious strong clenching of the jaws, not associated with chewing function, accompanied by grinding of teeth.

Neurologists put the phenomenon on a par with intractable parasomnias, such as snoring, sleepwalking, and nightmares. In their opinion, bruxism is similar to sleep-talking and occurs against the background of aggressive dreams, or is a response to constant stress.

Compression of the jaw ligaments is an evolutionary instinct of Homo sapiens, whose teeth serve as a weapon against a rival or predator.

Clenching the jaws of a modern person is, as a rule, a defensive reaction to problem situations, an expression of negative emotions: fear, anger, anger, hostility, disappointment, etc.

For the first time, the term bruxomania (“La bruxomanie”, French) was proposed at the beginning of the twentieth century by medical scientists M. Pietkiewicz, M. M. Marie, M. Karoly, who saw a connection between dental squeak and destruction of the central nervous system.

Synonyms: occlusal neurosis, odonterism, bruxomania, Karolyi effect, masticatory muscle parafunction.

An interesting fact: the phenomenon of bruxism is mentioned in the Old and New Testaments, in particular, where the phrase “weeping and gnashing of teeth” describes the fate of sinners in hell.

Do you grind your teeth in your sleep

Signs of bruxism are numerous and may include:

Excessively worn flat or blunt teeth (stumps) that have cracks and chips.

Repeated violation of dentures (fillings, crowns).

Damaged tooth enamel, exposing deeper layers.

Indentations (imprints) of teeth in the tongue ("jagged" or "scalloped" tongue).

Hypersensitivity of the teeth (for example, when drinking cold liquids) caused by wear of the thickness of the insulating layer of dentin and enamel around the tooth pulp.

Ear pain and stiffness in the temporomandibular joint, manifested by painful sensations in the anterior part of the ear.

Tightness, soreness, or fatigue of the masticatory muscles, which may worsen during chewing or other jaw movement.

Toothache.

Damage to the insides of the cheeks.

Stains on teeth.

Inflammation and recession of the gums (exposure of the root of the tooth), excessive tooth mobility.

Headache (craniofacial), especially in the temples, associated with the temporalis muscle.

Facial muscle pain (facial myalgia).

Tightness and rigidity in the shoulders.

Trismus - limited opening of the mouth due to spasm of the masticatory muscles.

The sound of grinding teeth is a serious hindrance to the sleep of neighbors.

Let's take a closer look at four of these symptoms.

dental wear,

caused by tooth to tooth contact is called abrasion. This is the most common type of tooth wear that occurs with odontism and affects the occlusal surface of the teeth. The exact location and structure of the abrasion depends on the mechanism of bruxism.

For example, when the canines and incisors of opposing arches move transversely relative to each other, under the action of the medial pterygoid muscles, this can lead to abrasion of the incisal edges of the teeth. As tooth wear progresses through the enamel layer, the exposed dentin (the hard underlying tissue of the tooth) becomes softer and more vulnerable to wear and decay.

If enough of the tooth's enamel has been worn away or has come apart, the tooth will effectively be weakened and may break under the increased forces that occur in episodes of bruxism.

Jaw pain

occurs from excessive clenching of the teeth, and entails their grinding due to excessive pressure on the joints of the oral structure. Jaw pain can get worse when chewing gum or eating hard foods like steak.

Toothache

Perhaps the most obvious, and most serious, symptom of teeth grinding is toothache. It's not hard to understand why this is happening. The teeth are not built to withstand bouts of bruxism.

Grinding of teeth uses a force similar to that when you would crack a nut. Teeth cannot stay healthy in the long run if subjected to such pressure every day.

Grinding can lead to small cracks in the tooth, causing pain when chewing. Sensitivity can develop because odontism wears away the enamel that protects teeth from extreme temperatures.

stains on teeth

evidence that the enamel has worn off and the layer underneath, called dentin, is beginning to disappear. For dentists, these spots are an indicator of teeth grinding or clenching. They become more sensitive when these wear spots develop because teeth are less protected without layers of enamel.

bruxism consequences

The Karolyi effect is the leading culprit in many temporomandibular joint diseases:

Aching pains in the face or chin.
Soreness in or near the ear.
Soreness of the jaw.
A blockage of the mouth joint that prevents the mouth from opening or closing.
Pain when chewing.
Clicking when opening and closing the mouth.

Bruxism: predisposition. Risk group

Gritting your teeth is most commonly associated with stress, but it can also be exacerbated by habitual chewing on other things, such as rubber bands, fingernails, pencils, or pens. Bruxers are advised to control themselves whenever possible and avoid chewing other objects, this bad habit worsens the symptoms.

Studies, with varying degrees of evidence, have shown that a high degree of bruxism occurs in people with the following health conditions:

snoring and sleep apnea,
traumatic brain injury or coma,
epilepsy,
Down Syndrome,
autism,
cerebral paralysis,
Parkinson's disease.

risk group.

Persons who use substances that excite the masticatory muscles:

drugs,
alcohol,
nicotine,
caffeine,
sleeping pills,
antidepressants,
medications.

The risk group consists of people whose professional activities are associated with a constant strain of attention (opticians, military, neurosurgeons, testers, etc.).
Neurological and psychiatric diseases also serve as a provoking factor.

Summary

Scientists say that grinding teeth is part of the natural mechanism of the struggle for human survival. When under stress, his shoulders automatically slouch, his head moves slightly forward, and his teeth clench.

One study found that while the average person's tooth enamel loses about 0.3 millimeters every decade, bruxers can wear away 0.2 mm in just a couple of years.

Once you have determined that you grind your teeth in your sleep, contact a specialist. They will prescribe a range of procedures and medical options to help prevent further damage to your teeth.

I hope the article on the symptoms of bruxism gave a clear understanding of such a dangerous disorder in the body, which is not considered a disease, but can cause considerable damage to health.

Sources: en.wikipedia, A.M. Brozgol and V.A. Alekseev "Pathological abrasion of teeth", 1970; A.P. Zaligyan and L.M. Demner "Clinic and treatment of bruxism", Dentistry, p. 77 #5, 1986; N.V. Yuryeva, N.N. Maslova, P.N. Geletin "Electroencephalographic features in patients with bruxism".

Elena Valve for the Sleepy Cantata project.

Read on the topic:

Bruxism in adults, causes;
How to get rid of grinding teeth in a dream. Jaw exercises.

Bruxism, or unconscious teeth grinding, can occur at any age. If in childhood this problem often goes away on its own, then adults cannot do without adequate treatment. Ignoring this symptom can lead to many unpleasant consequences, up to constant headaches and loss of teeth.

What is bruxism

Periodic bouts of bruxism occur in 10–15% of the adult population. They manifest themselves in the form of a strong compression of the jaws, creaking, tapping and clicking of the teeth. This occurs as a result of spasm of the masticatory muscles.

Most often, seizures occur in an unconscious state, during sleep. Waking up, a person does not remember what happened to him, and learns about such a peculiarity only from the words of his relatives.

Teeth grinding can disturb not only children, but also adults.

Attacks of bruxism usually last from 10-15 seconds to a minute and are repeated at individual intervals. At the same time, a person's blood pressure rises, the pulse quickens, and breathing is difficult.

Teeth grinding has several official scientific names at once: bruxism, odonterism, Carolini phenomenon.

Doctors do not consider this condition a pathology and equate bruxism with snoring, sleepwalking and nightmares.

Classification

Distinguish bruxism:

Day. This variety is quite rare, because in the waking state, people are usually able to control the movements of the muscles and jaws. Daytime bruxism affects men and women who are constantly under stress. To calm down, they gnaw pens and pencils, bite their lips and inner sides of their cheeks, bite their nails, and chew on foreign objects. At the moment when a person experiences strong tension or vivid emotions, his jaws involuntarily clench and creak, which can irritate others. Despite the fact that daytime bruxism seems to be just a bad habit, it is extremely difficult to get rid of it without the help of a psychologist.
Night. Teeth grinding during sleep is much more common, and gender and age do not matter. During the night, there are usually several attacks, and the person may not even be aware of this until the symptoms of bruxism become apparent. Among the most striking manifestations are the erasure of tooth enamel, pain in the jaw joints and damage to the gums.

If you can get rid of daytime bruxism with the help of constant self-monitoring, then nighttime bruxism requires a more comprehensive approach to treatment. In addition, its diagnosis, especially early, is rather difficult, since it is almost impossible to notice seizures without outside help. A person can suspect this condition only by the totality of certain symptoms.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of bruxism include the following phenomena:

headache in the morning;
pain in the ears and paranasal sinuses;
discomfort after sleep in the jaws, neck, shoulders, and back;
pain during chewing;
toothache;
numbness of the jaws upon awakening;
visual enlargement of the jaw muscles;
increased tearing and eye irritation;
clicks in the maxillofacial joints;
dizziness;
tinnitus;
drowsiness, feeling of weakness;
depressed state, turning into depression;
loss of appetite;
insomnia or restless sleep.

Bruxism almost always provokes the erasure of enamel, which, in turn, leads to an increase in the sensitivity of the teeth: they begin to react to too hot, too cold, as well as sweet and sour foods. A visit to the dentist will help to detect odontism in time and take measures to eliminate it.

Causes

In the treatment of gnashing, it is very important to establish the true cause of this phenomenon. All reasons can be grouped into 6 groups. Depending on the area in which the roots of the problem lie, a person may need to consult a certain narrow specialist.

Psychology. In about 70% of cases, involuntary contraction of the masticatory muscles is a reaction to a person's internal experiences. Bruxism affects mainly people who experience psychological discomfort, nervous tension, stress or serious emotional stress. Teeth grinding is one of the companions of depression, therefore, if bruxism is suspected, it is necessary, first of all, to check the psycho-emotional state of a person.

Since the occurrence of teeth grinding is most often provoked precisely by psychological factors, bruxism is called the disease of businessmen - people who are under the influence of constant stress.
Neurology. People with neurological problems can suffer from bruxism: tremor, epilepsy, enuresis, sleep apnea, various sleep disorders. In addition, gnashing appears in response to lesions of the trigeminal nerve: chewing muscles involuntarily come into tone, and the person ceases to control this process.
Dentistry. It happens that the creak becomes a reaction to dental abnormalities. In adults, this phenomenon can be provoked by dental anomalies, poorly selected dentures and braces, malocclusion, poorly placed fillings, as well as diseases of the jaw joint.
Incorrectly fitting braces are often the cause of squeaking teeth.
Gastroenterology. Teeth grinding can also appear as a consequence of gastroesophageal reflux disease. In rare cases, bruxism is provoked by malnutrition, excessive consumption of caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. This problem can haunt people who abuse sleeping pills and antidepressants.
Otolaryngology. Being a frequent companion of snoring, bruxism can be triggered by the same reason: difficult nasal breathing caused by a deviated septum, overgrown adenoids, allergies, or a chronic runny nose.
Osteopathy. According to osteopathic science, grinding teeth is nothing more than the body's desire to restore normal craniosacral rhythm. In adults, this problem often occurs due to problems with the spine, unsuccessful dental prosthetics, and a host of other reasons.

A good osteopath can help get rid of bruxism

In addition, at risk:

patients with Huntington's chorea;
persons with brain injuries or neoplasms in the organ;
people suffering from Parkinson's disease;
men who have a genetic predisposition to bruxism.

Whatever the cause of bruxism, it is important to identify the problem in a timely manner and take measures to eliminate it.

Should bruxism be treated?

It may seem that bruxism is not such a serious problem. However, if nothing is done, then a number of dental problems may occur:

the appearance of cracks in the enamel;
the occurrence of foci of caries;
abrasion of teeth;
If bruxism is left untreated, teeth wear out very quickly.
change in the shape and size of the crown part of the teeth;
destruction of fillings and crowns;
loosening and loss of teeth;
taste of blood in the mouth;
gum damage;
the formation of ulcers in the mouth;
the appearance of an abnormal bite;
diseases of the temporomandibular joints.

In addition to dental problems, people suffering from bruxism may develop permanent psychological discomfort. They begin to feel like a hindrance, they develop an inferiority complex, become withdrawn and irritable. And if you add to this fatigue, constant headaches and spasms of the facial muscles, which are often companions of bruxism, then a person may well become depressed. Diagnosis

Grinding of teeth, especially if it occurs infrequently, is not a reason to be treated for bruxism. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis, and you should start with a visit to the dentist. According to the state of the coronal part, the specialist immediately recognizes the beginning Carolini phenomenon, and to confirm his suspicions, he can use a bruxchecker. This is a special kappa that is inserted into the mouth at night. By the nature of its damage, it is easy to determine which teeth have the maximum load at night.

Electromyography is the main method for diagnosing bruxism

The next specialist to visit if bruxism is suspected is a neurologist. If necessary, he will refer the patient to electromyography (EMG), a method that allows you to determine how well the masticatory muscles work, by measuring their electrical activity.

A dentist can also send an EMG, but it’s better to visit a neurologist to rule out pathologies in this area.

If there are no problems with neurology, it is worth paying a visit to a psychologist, otorhinolaryngologist, gastroenterologist and osteopath.

Treatment

After the final diagnosis, you need to immediately proceed to treatment. If the grinding of teeth is provoked by problems with the teeth, the therapy will be quick and will take place in the dentist's office.

Attention! Dental procedures for the restoration of teeth destroyed by bouts of bruxism should be carried out only after the main cause of this condition has been eliminated.

It is already more difficult to cure the pathology of the respiratory or auditory tract, as well as to solve the problems of neurology and the gastrointestinal tract. The longest time will have to eliminate the psychological causes of bruxism.

Be prepared for the fact that you have to learn to relax (both the nervous system in general and the masticatory muscles in particular). This can be achieved by various methods, and it is desirable to use them in combination.

The following relaxation techniques help with bruxism:

Yoga and meditation. Almost all meditation techniques are a great way to relax and relieve stress. You can learn yoga on your own, but it is better if an experienced instructor tells about its intricacies, and classes will take place in groups.
Breathing exercises. The simplest breathing exercises help to relieve stress: a deep breath through the nose, holding the breath for a few seconds, a long exhalation through the mouth.
Physical exercise. Physical activity helps to relieve nervous tension and stimulates the production of "happiness hormones" - endorphins.
Massage. You can relax your jaw and chin with self-massage. Grasp the lower jaw with your palms and make light circular movements with your fingers.
Relaxing baths. It is a good idea for people suffering from bruxism to get in the habit of taking a warm, relaxing bath before bed. For greater effect, you can use a variety of additives: sea salt, essential oils (lavender, sandalwood, valerian), herbal decoctions, oat straw, coniferous extract, etc.
Compresses. To relieve tension from the jaw, you can use a warm, wet compress. Wet a washcloth in warm water, wring it out and apply it to the problem area - this will soothe the pain and relax the muscles.
Special exercises. A good effect can be achieved if you regularly do exercises to relax the muscles of the jaws and chin:
1. Open your jaws and rest your tongue against the upper palate. This exercise is very useful to do before going to bed.
2. Press your fingers on your chin, pushing it back, open your mouth and close it with force. The lower jaw should be relaxed. This exercise should be repeated 15 times in the morning, afternoon and before bed.

Yoga and meditation practices are a great way to relieve stress that provokes bruxism

In parallel with relieving stress, do not forget to take care of your teeth. It is impossible to cure bruxism in one day, and each attack has a negative effect on enamel and gums.

To protect teeth from destruction, the dentist can pick up a special device. Most often used:

mouth guards for bruxism;
night or day tires;
trainers;
pads with a spring, pushing the lower jaw.

To prevent deformation of the teeth, individual mouthguards are used

All these devices protect the teeth, but they do not cure bruxism. If the grinding is caused by a psycho-emotional state, the doctor may prescribe:

taking sedative drugs (Persen, Novo-Passit);
Botox injections;
psychotherapy sessions;
hypnosis.

Prevention

Having got rid of bouts of bruxism, do not forget about the prevention of this condition. Adhere to the following rules:

Make sure that your teeth are not clenched during the day.
Try to play sports.
Get outdoors more and walk more often.
Instead of strong tea and coffee, drink herbal preparations from mint, lemon balm, linden, valerian, hops, chamomile, calendula, etc.
Adjust your diet: minimize sweets and fast food, increase the amount of raw vegetables and fruits.
Adhere to a sparing daily routine: rest more, go to bed on time, do not load yourself with overwork.
Don't eat before bed.
In addition, use B vitamins, as well as calcium and magnesium supplements. However, this should be done after consulting a doctor and the necessary tests.
Avoid stress.

There is a theory that if you bring the jaw to fatigue during the day, the number of nighttime attacks of bruxism will be minimal. Therefore, nutritionists recommend chewing hard carrots, apples and nuts more often.

Following these simple rules will help you forget about bruxism forever, which is so destructive to your teeth and annoying to loved ones.

What to do if you grind your teeth at night - video

Innocent at first glance, the grinding of teeth gives a lot of inconvenience to people suffering from bruxism and their immediate environment. Therefore, at the first signs of this condition, it is advisable to visit the right specialists, establish the true cause and begin treatment.

Medicine for me is not a profession, but a favorite hobby. I communicate with doctors, read a lot, educate myself, so I consider myself quite competent in this area. Rate this article:

A person simply does not notice most of the habits in himself, but often he is angry with similar manifestations in other people.

One of these unpleasant moments is the involuntary grinding of teeth, which in medical terminology is referred to as bruxism.

About the violation in earnest

Bruxism in adults and children is a condition of involuntary clenching of the teeth, resulting in a squeaky sound.

This may be a consequence of certain processes in the body or harmful addiction, which is noted much more often. This habit does not pose a serious health hazard, but creates some problems.

This uncontrollable grinding of teeth intensifies at night when a person is sleeping, which puts extra stress on the temporomandibular joint.

The consequence of the squeak is also damage to the enamel, loosening and abrasion of the teeth, a negative reflection on the muscles of the face, joints, the emotional state of the person himself and his loved ones, who are prevented by the rattle from resting.

The disease is more common in children, but age and gender do not play a role in this issue.

Some interesting statistics

According to statistics, children under the age of 7 are more likely to suffer from bruxism - 30-50% (usually by the age of 7 in children the problem disappears on its own), while in adults the same figure is only 10-15% of the total population .

But it is also assumed that bruxism in adults is much more common, so the statistics are inaccurate. Lonely people, gritting their teeth, are not even aware of their condition, because they have no one to tell about it.

In the daytime form of the violation, the person himself notices its manifestations and tries to control his condition.

The nature of the disease

According to some scientists, bruxism is a sleep disorder like somnambulism (sleepwalking), enuresis, snoring, nightmares and sleep apnea (stopping breathing during sleep).

Officially, this assumption has not been confirmed, because this phenomenon has not been fully studied. There are suggestions that the night grinding of teeth is a response to involuntary activity in a dream, when a person talks in a dream, experiences hallucinations, is between sleep and wakefulness.

It is known for sure that bruxism occurs in aggressive people who are trying to suppress anger, as well as in citizens prone to stress and emotional stress, which often entails work activities. In any case, grinding your teeth at night can lead to serious consequences.

What causes teeth grinding?

Teeth grinding is not an independent disease. It only indicates psychological or physiological disorders in the body.

If bruxism is detected in an adult, then before starting treatment, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive examination in order to find the cause that provoked the presented pathology.

Physical reasons include:

malocclusion;
missing or supernumerary teeth;
abnormal structure of the temporomandibular joint;
Parkinson's or Gettington's disease;
epilepsy;
difficult getting used to the prosthesis or braces;
poor quality seals.

The psychological causes of bruxism include:

uncontrolled nervous excitability;
protracted stressful situation (passing exams, waiting, difficulties in the family);
drugs, withdrawal syndrome with nicotine or alcohol addiction.

Stress is a common cause of teeth grinding. 70% of all identified cases are the consequences of nervous tension and frequent experiences. The most sensitive and emotional people are more likely to develop this problem.

Lifestyle can also affect the formation of "bad habits": alcoholism and smoking, excessive use of antidepressants, caffeine in large doses.

All this provokes the excitation of the cerebral cortex during a night's sleep. A person suffers from insomnia, which increases the risk of bruxism.

What is the danger

Untimely treatment entails harmless consequences:

First of all, a patient who grinds his teeth all night feels pain in the maxillofacial region, because the muscles and joints of the face are in constant tension and experience pain from this.
In addition, from the constant grinding, the chewing surface of the teeth is erased, they loosen and become sensitive, while the gums become inflamed, the aesthetic appearance of the teeth deteriorates.
Bruxism irradiates with pain in the ears, maxillary sinuses, the patient wakes up with a headache in the morning, hearing loss gradually begins, facial asymmetry slowly develops.
Human insomnia begins to torment, there is nervousness, irritability, overexertion and even depression.

If a violation suddenly appeared in a person of age, then you should undergo an examination, because grinding your teeth can indicate epilepsy.

In addition, a person cannot sleep in the same room with anyone, it is difficult for him to build a family life. Several cases of divorce have been officially recorded precisely because of the grinding of teeth in a dream.

How to identify the problem yourself?

A person with bruxism may not know for a long time that he grinds his teeth in his sleep. The following accompanying symptoms should alert him:

pain in the morning in the head, neck, back, temporomandibular joints, shoulders;
pain in the ears and maxillary sinuses;
dizziness and ringing in the ears;
insomnia and restless sleep;
daytime sleepiness;
frequent stress and depression.

These signs also speak of other diseases, but it is worth paying attention to the condition of the teeth. If they are erased, dentures are damaged, the bite has changed, then there is a possibility of bruxism and you should consult a specialist.

Therapy - a full range of measures

The treatment of bruxism is divided into two stages: dental and psychological, because the cause of the grinding lies in the psychological state of the patient, and the dental stage is needed to prevent consequences for the teeth.

Treatment can be started independently, where compression of the upper and lower jaw should be controlled. They should not touch, thus reducing the friction of the teeth.

dental stage

Several times a day, you should relax your muscles: move your jaws apart, while pursing your lips. Stay in this position for a few minutes. If teeth grinding occurs during sleep, then such exercises should be performed before bedtime.

You can control bruxism during the day by doing some exercises for the chin:

position your head straight;
relax your jaw and open your mouth;
gently push your chin back;
do the exercise in front of a mirror to control the correct position of the upper and lower jaw;
repeat the exercise 15 times, for a quick and desired result, at least 3 sessions a day should be carried out - this exercise will help correct the bite and relax the temporomandibular joint.

Psychological stage

Psychological treatment of bruxism is to relieve stress in the patient. Daily deep breathing will help to get rid of psychological stress: inhale through the nose, and exhale through the mouth.

In addition, it is necessary to load the patient physically, because physical exercises will help not only relieve nervous tension and stress, but also produce endorphins. It is good to do yoga - it relaxes the whole body and muscles, including the facial ones.

Conservative and traditional medicine

Drug treatment is a decrease in the activity of the masticatory muscles. Here they resort to the use of sedative and hypnotic drugs, magnesium and calcium, B vitamins, Botox injections.

From folk remedies for bruxism, a warm compress in the area of \u200b\u200bthe temporomandibular joint helps - heat relieves spasm and prevents jaws from clenching. Before going to bed, you should also chew a carrot or chewing gum so that the muscles get a load and do not contract at night.

To prevent abrasion of teeth, breakage of them and prostheses, you can use orthodontic caps - these are linings on the teeth to prevent the jaws from touching.

For preventive purposes, you should normalize your psycho-emotional state, learn self-massage and relaxation techniques, and get rid of bad habits. This is the only way to prevent the development of a problem that has a destructive effect on a wonderful smile.

What is bruxism

Most often, seizures occur in an unconscious state, during sleep. Waking up, a person does not remember what happened to him, and learns about such a peculiarity only from the words of his relatives.

Teeth grinding has several official scientific names at once: bruxism, odonterism, Carolini phenomenon.

Doctors do not consider this condition a pathology and equate bruxism with snoring, sleepwalking and nightmares.

Classification

Distinguish bruxism:

Day. This variety is quite rare, because in the waking state, people are usually able to control the movements of the muscles and jaws. Daytime bruxism affects men and women who are constantly under stress. To calm down, they gnaw pens and pencils, bite their lips and inner sides of their cheeks, bite their nails, and chew on foreign objects. At the moment when a person experiences strong tension or vivid emotions, his jaws involuntarily clench and creak, which can irritate others. Despite the fact that daytime bruxism seems to be just a bad habit, it is extremely difficult to get rid of it without the help of a psychologist.
Night. Teeth grinding during sleep is much more common, and gender and age do not matter. During the night, there are usually several attacks, and the person may not even be aware of this until the symptoms of bruxism become apparent. Among the most striking manifestations are the erasure of tooth enamel, pain in the jaw joints and damage to the gums.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of bruxism include the following phenomena:

headache in the morning;
pain in the ears and paranasal sinuses;
discomfort after sleep in the jaws, neck, shoulders, and back;
pain during chewing;
toothache;
numbness of the jaws upon awakening;
visual enlargement of the jaw muscles;
increased tearing and eye irritation;
clicks in the maxillofacial joints;
dizziness;
tinnitus;
drowsiness, feeling of weakness;
depressed state, turning into depression;
loss of appetite;
insomnia or restless sleep.

Causes

In addition, at risk:

patients with Huntington's chorea;
persons with brain injuries or neoplasms in the organ;
people suffering from Parkinson's disease;
men who have a genetic predisposition to bruxism.

Whatever the cause of bruxism, it is important to identify the problem in a timely manner and take measures to eliminate it.

Should bruxism be treated?

It may seem that bruxism is not such a serious problem. However, if nothing is done, then a number of dental problems may occur:

In addition to dental problems, people suffering from bruxism may develop permanent psychological discomfort. They begin to feel like a hindrance, they develop an inferiority complex, become withdrawn and irritable. And if you add to this fatigue, constant headaches and spasms of the facial muscles, which are often companions of bruxism, then a person may well become depressed. Diagnosis

A dentist can also send an EMG, but it’s better to visit a neurologist to rule out pathologies in this area.

If there are no problems with neurology, it is worth paying a visit to a psychologist, otorhinolaryngologist, gastroenterologist and osteopath.

Treatment

Attention! Dental procedures for the restoration of teeth destroyed by bouts of bruxism should be carried out only after the main cause of this condition has been eliminated.

The following relaxation techniques help with bruxism:

Yoga and meditation. Almost all meditation techniques are a great way to relax and relieve stress. You can learn yoga on your own, but it is better if an experienced instructor tells about its intricacies, and classes will take place in groups.
Breathing exercises. The simplest breathing exercises help to relieve stress: a deep breath through the nose, holding the breath for a few seconds, a long exhalation through the mouth.
Physical exercise. Physical activity helps to relieve nervous tension and stimulates the production of "happiness hormones" - endorphins.
Massage. You can relax your jaw and chin with self-massage. Grasp the lower jaw with your palms and make light circular movements with your fingers.
Relaxing baths. It is a good idea for people suffering from bruxism to get in the habit of taking a warm, relaxing bath before bed. For greater effect, you can use a variety of additives: sea salt, essential oils (lavender, sandalwood, valerian), herbal decoctions, oat straw, coniferous extract, etc.
Compresses. To relieve tension from the jaw, you can use a warm, wet compress. Wet a washcloth in warm water, wring it out and apply it to the problem area - this will soothe the pain and relax the muscles.
Special exercises. A good effect can be achieved if you regularly do exercises to relax the muscles of the jaws and chin:
1. Open your jaws and rest your tongue against the upper palate. This exercise is very useful to do before going to bed.
2. Press your fingers on your chin, pushing it back, open your mouth and close it with force. The lower jaw should be relaxed. This exercise should be repeated 15 times in the morning, afternoon and before bed.

In parallel with relieving stress, do not forget to take care of your teeth. It is impossible to cure bruxism in one day, and each attack has a negative effect on enamel and gums.

To protect teeth from destruction, the dentist can pick up a special device. Most often used:

mouth guards for bruxism;
night or day tires;
trainers;
pads with a spring, pushing the lower jaw.

All these devices protect the teeth, but they do not cure bruxism. If the grinding is caused by a psycho-emotional state, the doctor may prescribe:

taking sedative drugs (Persen, Novo-Passit);
Botox injections;
psychotherapy sessions;
hypnosis.

Prevention

Having got rid of bouts of bruxism, do not forget about the prevention of this condition. Adhere to the following rules:

Make sure that your teeth are not clenched during the day.
Try to play sports.
Get outdoors more and walk more often.
Instead of strong tea and coffee, drink herbal preparations from mint, lemon balm, linden, valerian, hops, chamomile, calendula, etc.
Adjust your diet: minimize sweets and fast food, increase the amount of raw vegetables and fruits.
Adhere to a sparing daily routine: rest more, go to bed on time, do not load yourself with overwork.
Don't eat before bed.
In addition, use B vitamins, as well as calcium and magnesium supplements. However, this should be done after consulting a doctor and the necessary tests.
Avoid stress.

There is a theory that if you bring the jaw to fatigue during the day, the number of nighttime attacks of bruxism will be minimal. Therefore, nutritionists recommend chewing hard carrots, apples and nuts more often.

Following these simple rules will help you forget about bruxism forever, which is so destructive to your teeth and annoying to loved ones.

What to do if you grind your teeth at night - video

Jaw clenching in animals is an important protective reflex, which allows not only tearing apart food, but also defending itself from predators. It is believed that in the process of evolution it was inherited by man. Therefore, jaw tension is the first reaction to stress in young children. Normally, as they grow older, new, more appropriate ways of responding to unpleasant influences appear, and the child clenches his jaw less and less. But approximately 20% of people have hereditary hyperactivity of masticatory center neurons in the brain. Clenching their teeth is a psychosomatic reaction, a way to release nervous tension through the actions of the body. At the same time, people do not even realize that they are straining their jaws. Not everyone is able to admit: I grit my teeth hard.

WHAT IS THE DANGER?

The problem is not only in the clenching of the jaws, but also in those conditions in which it most often occurs.

There are also aesthetic problems. Hypertrophy of the masticatory muscle provokes hypertrophy of the angle of the lower jaw, that is, bone tissue.

DOCTORS WILL HELP

When a patient comes to us claiming that I clench my teeth strongly, we conduct special tests to assess the state of the nervous system. We give brooks-checkers - pads that must be installed on the teeth before going to bed. Impressions remain on them, allowing you to assess the activity of the masticatory muscles during the night. The deeper the impression, the stronger the man clenched his jaw. Some patients with bruxism return such systems to us with holes through and through, although it is difficult to bite through them.

In severe cases, we refer to polysomnography - a study of night sleep, which allows you to objectively document the activity of the masticatory muscles. At the moment of wakefulness, we can conduct a surface electromyography of the masticatory muscles - a record of their electrical activity using electrodes installed on the skin of the face.

We also do an orthopantomogram (panoramic x-ray of the teeth) to exclude dentoalveolar pathology and evaluate signs of bone tissue hypertrophy in the region of the angles of the lower jaw.

And based on the results of all these studies, we make a decision on therapy.

He clenched his teeth to a gnashing, took a firmer grip on the hang glider's trapeze, fled and… woke up. They shake his shoulder, complain: “Again you grind your teeth at someone in a dream! What do you dream about every night? You sigh, turn on the other side, fall asleep ... How many dreams I didn’t finish watching because of this stupid rattle.

What to say? You are not alone in the Universe - more than 70% of people suffer from bruxism, which is the scientific name for the nightly grinding of teeth. This, of course, is little consolation. Everyone still needs to solve the problem, and it is better to start at an early age.

Teeth grinding in children is fraught with the formation of malocclusion, uneven teeth, and the development of children's caries. If your child grinds his teeth at night, don't think he will outgrow it. Will not outgrow.

Grinding of teeth - can we tolerate it?

“Well, he grinds his teeth, well, think about it,” say the relatives of the lover of grinding their teeth in a dream, plugging their ears with cotton. Earplugs are also an option against bruxism, unless you feel sorry for your loved one.

Excessive load on the teeth, jaw joints, muscles of the face and neck responds with pain, spasms and tension. Regular gnashing at night wears down teeth - first the enamel is injured, hyper-sensitivity appears, then caries sets in and after a couple of years there will simply be nothing left of the teeth. And not only from their own. No ceramic crowns or dental implants can withstand such an onslaught. And you say "it's okay"!

Dentists about the consequences of bruxism

Causes of teeth grinding - find and neutralize

We can say that grinding your teeth is a habit. This is such a strange habit. Maybe you noticed behind yourself that, thinking, you gnaw on the tip of a pencil? Or clench your teeth on a cigarette? Unlearning this is not easy, but it is necessary.

An incorrect, but tenacious opinion that grinding teeth in a dream is a sign of helminthiasis. Hundreds of cases have been described of how the treatment of worms helped get rid of bruxism. Well, what can I say? Try it, it won't hurt. But be prepared for the fact that it will not help.

Everything from the nerves - including bruxism. Strongly clenched teeth as a manifestation of stress and excessive tension - more like the truth?

We often grit our teeth while plodding through rush hour on a subway car or on a bus, clenching our teeth tightly before making a big decision or having a serious conversation with our superiors. And at night this tension does not let go of us, we still experience daytime emotions.

Lack of teeth, if you have ignored the need to install implants or crowns, other malocclusion can also cause the habit of grinding your teeth. And not only at night. There are people in whom bruxism manifests itself in the daytime.

Is grinding your teeth in your sleep a symptom?

Nevertheless, bruxism is not a disease, but a combination of factors that force you to see a doctor. If you are not sure that your teeth grinding at night is pathological, you should carefully examine the oral cavity.

Have you noticed changes in the crown of your tooth? Are there chips? Rough cutting edge? Ulcers on the inner surface of the cheeks in the area of closure? If yes, then these are signs of bruxism. And that means it's time to see a doctor.

Who will save you from bruxism - a dentist or a psychologist?

Yes, bruxism is a problem, both psychological and dental. In the first case, the doctor may advise you to drink a sedative, rest more, get enough sleep and avoid overexertion.

Dentists give more practical advice. In the absence of teeth, you need to fill in the gap. Fortunately, dental implantation offers different ways of restoring teeth in terms of time and money.

Teeth fluoridation, the use of strengthening toothpastes to maintain enamel, will help to compensate for the aggressive effects of bruxism.

Prevention and treatment of bruxism

Mouthguards will help protect your teeth from abrasion. They can be worn at night or even for a while during the day while you are sitting at the computer.

What else can be done to get rid of grinding teeth at night? Before going to bed, give your facial muscles and jaws a load - gnaw on hard apples or nuts. After such “gymnastics”, relaxation will come and there will be no desire to clench your teeth tightly during sleep.

Massage, as well as hot compresses, will help to relax the neck and face. You can take a hot bath.

Do not drink a lot of coffee, and especially carbonated drinks like Coca-Cola. Especially before bed. It will only cause more tension to be released.

You won’t be able to get rid of gnashing your teeth in a couple of days, but with a systematic approach and firm intention, you will succeed. Start acting right now: you will find a list of suitable clinics under this article.

And no one will wake you up in the most interesting place anymore.