Bruxism / Teeth Grinding

Bruxism ,teeth grinding and teeth clenching are the most common motor abnormalaties of the oral region. This particular condition is characterized by what  may sometimes be described as violent motor movements during REM sleep. The movements appear to be associated with an enactment of the dream, and are caused by the activation of reflex chewing activity; it is not a learned habit.

Chewing is a complex neuromuscular activity that is controlled by reflex nerve pathways, with higher control by the brain. During sleep, the reflex part is active while the higher control is inactive, resulting in bruxism. . The condition may appear to occur without a known trigger, however, other cases may occur as a result of neurologic disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, ischemic cerebrovascular disease, and brainstem neoplasms.

The exact cause of bruxism is unknown, some have attributed the habit to stress, or in the case of children who grind their teeth it was often thought the cause was worms, however, there appear to be many other factors involved. The condition is not confined to children as was previously thought, between 30 to 40 million Americans grind their teeth during sleep, some grind their teeth during a short nap.

Possible causes of bruxism may be over consumptopn of caffiene drinks, use of drugs, both recreational and prescription, high levels of stress and anxiety. Also malocclusion, in which the upper and lower teeth fit together in a dysfunctional way, typically through lateral asymmetry and dysocclusion of the front teeth through premature contact of back teeth.

Bruxism causes extensive dental damage, the extent of the damage depends on how long the habit has existed and gone untreated. It can result in tooth loss, and gum recession, the grinding action abrades tooth structure, and leads to wearing down of the edges of the teeth. Eventually, bruxing shortens and blunts the teeth being ground, and may lead to myofacial muscle pain and headaches. In severe, chronic cases, it can lead to arthritis of the temporomandibular joints.

The effects of bruxism may not only be confined to the sufferer's teeth, for a bed partner having to listen to the horrendous sound of loud teeth grinding will have their own sleep severely disrupted.

The condition may go unnoticed if the teeth grinder sleeps alone, in this case the only way the condition is diagnosed is when the person visits their dentist, the presenting evidence of abraded teeth determines the problem.

Recent evidence has found that the use of serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft and other SSRI's has increased bruxism.

 Treatment for bruxism  can be as simple as the use of a mouth guard which reduces damage to the teeth,   a biofeedback device, relaxation therapy, or an NTI-tss device. 

Read more:REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

 Cure for Bruxism