What exactly is bruxism?
What are the types of Bruxism?
1. It seems to be related to a pattern of brain
activity that happens during the sleep cycle. This pattern, called the arousal
response, occurs when an individual passes between states of deeper and lighter
sleep or wakefulness. Several studies indicate it can trigger muscular
activities that result in teeth grinding. Based on this research, the American
Academy of Sleep Medicine now classifies nocturnal bruxism as a sleep-related
movement disorder. That classification makes sense, as studies have shown that nocturnal
teeth grinding is strongly associated with habitual snoring and other sleep
disorders.
2. Long-term use of psychoactive drugs, such as
certain SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and amphetamines, is
associated with bruxism. It's possible that these drugs affect the transmission
of nerve impulses in such a way that they trigger the response
3. The excessive use of Tobacco, caffeine,
alcohol and illicit drugs has also been reported to trigger teeth grinding.
4. Bruxism has a psychological or emotional aspect. Bruxers tend to have higher levels of anxiety, stress sensitivity, depression and hostility.
How do you diagnose Bruxism?
1. Bruxism isn’t abnormal
— and in many cases, simply becoming aware of this behavior can help you limit
it. If it recurs frequently, however, it may be time to seek treatment.
2. Avoid use of illicit drugs, alcohol and
tobacco.
3. Stress
reduction techniques address the psychological side of the bruxism. There are a
number of simple techniques that can help you relax and get a good night's
sleep — and many of them can be effective at reducing teeth grinding at night.
Taking a warm bath, creating a soothing environment for relaxation and keeping
work-related tasks (and laptop computers) out of the bedroom can help you
decompress and unwind more easily at night. Other stress-reduction practices,
including meditation, mindfulness and biofeedback, can be used at any time.
4. A number of dental treatments can help keep your teeth from being damaged by excessive grinding .The most common is an appliance called an "occlusal guard" or night guard. This is a comfortable, custom-made device that is most often worn over the top teeth. Made of laboratory-processed acrylic resin, a high impact plastic, the device keeps the teeth from actually coming into contact, and can prevent damage to teeth, fillings, crowns and other dental work.
Figure : After taking impressions, your dentist will make a model of your bite. A custom-made night guard is created from that model.
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