Bruxism Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Bruxism or tooth abrasion is a condition when a person has the habit of grinding their teeth up and down.

Understanding

Bruxism or tooth abrasion is a condition when a person has the habit of grinding their teeth up and down. This action can be done during daily activities or while sleeping at night (sleep bruxism).

Sleep bruxism is classified as a sleep disorder. Sufferers of sleep bruxism usually also have problems sleeping, such as snoring or sleep apnea.

To prevent bruxism, you can do the following:

• Avoid biting hard objects
• Avoid brushing your teeth too hard
• Avoid excessive stress
• Reduce drinking alcoholic beverages and caffeine
• Etc

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of bruxism is made through a medical interview and physical examination. During the interview, the doctor will ask questions about general dental health, medications, your daily routine, and sleeping habits.

To see the extent of your bruxism, the doctor will check the jaw muscles and the presence of dental abnormalities and tooth decay. If your doctor suspects bruxism is related to psychological problems or sleep disturbances, you may be referred to a therapist, counselor, or sleep specialist.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of bruxism are as follows:

• Gritting his teeth loudly until he heard
• Teeth look flat, cracked, or loose
• Teeth become sensitive
• A jaw or face pain
• Jaw muscles feel sore and tense
• Headache
• Indentations appear on the tongue

Treatment

In most cases, bruxism does not require special treatment. However, if it is severe, you need to get treatment.

The type of treatment for bruxism depends on the cause. For example, if your teeth are loose, you will need a mouth guard and splints. If it is caused by stress, then you are required to do stress management and behavioral therapy. Drugs can also be given, but their effectiveness is still not proven.

Reason

The exact cause of bruxism is not known with certainty. The possibility can be triggered by physical or psychological things, such as:

• Emotions, such as stress, anxiety, anger, frustration
• Aggressive, competitive, and hyperactive personality
• Abnormal position of the upper and lower jaw teeth
• Sleep disorders
• Reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus
• Side effects of psychiatric drugs
• As a result of complications of other diseases, such as Huntington’s or Parkinson’s.