Diagnosing bruxism

TREATING BRUXISM
Bruxism is really a practice of grinding the teeth together frequently or even the clenching of the teeth. For many reasons, tooth grinding mostly happens at night while asleep, however it sometimes occur throughout the day as well as when awake. Against just what most bruxers think, the results of this habit can be very devastating to the health. That is why various bruxism treatment are already created gradually.

Bruxism is the term that describes an incessant grinding and clenching with the teeth unintentionally, and most of it in an inappropriate times. Bruxers (persons that suffered bruxism) are usually unaware that they’ve developed this particular habit, and often don’t know which medication is available until damage to the mouth and tooth may be happened. Damage brought on by bruxism often consists of these particular signs and symptoms. However, every individual may suffer symptoms in different ways.

Treatment approaches include biofeedback exercises, massed negative practice, alternation in sleep positioning, drug treatment, psychotherapy, hypnosis, occlusal orthotics, and stress reduction and coping techniques. While the the signs of bruxism in grown-ups may be treatable, the condition usually cannot be cured. Treatment concentrates on reducing acute signs and symptoms and limiting permanent sequelae. Treatment ought to be provided jointly through the patient’s family physician as well as dentist.

A dentist will recommend remedy for bruxism which prevents further injury to the teeth. An adequately made mouth guard could be the common and incredibly efficient solution to stop bruxism. This can protect both the lower and upper servings in the tooth. A night bruxism guard which fits exactly as it shouldn’t only minimize the chances of subconscious grinding, however it will even boost a person’s bite. However if your teeth have suffered the harm from bruxism, there are procedures that the dentist can suggest which may restore almost all of the damage.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TOOTH DECAY AND BRUXISM

In order for tooth decay to be developed in a tooth, that tooth must have acid producing bacteria around it, along with food for the bacteria to feed upon. Teeth that are susceptible to decay will have little to no fluoride in the enamel to fight the plaque. Fluoride can destroy decay, although it won’t be able to do much once the decay has started to eat the teeth.

Poor hygiene habits and bruxism grinding will allow the plaque and tartar to build up around teeth and speed up the process of decay. Even though your mouth has a lot of bacteria that is always present, only one type will generate the acid that results in tooth decay. Some people have active decay that is always present in their mouths. Parents with active decay can easily pass the decay on to a child or loved one through eating, drinking from the same glass, or even kissing.

Once the decay has settled in the tooth’s enamel, it will progress very slow. Once it has made it through to the second layer of the enamel, it will spread faster as it heads towards the pulp. The pulp is a vital area of the tooth, as it contains the nerves and blood supply. This is where the pain will be the most intense, as the decay will start to eat at the nerves.

Although decay can take 2 – 3 years to get through the enamel, it can make it from the dentin to the pulp in less than a year. Once it makes it to the dentin, the decay can destroy most of the tooth structure in a matter of weeks – or months. The most preventable type of tooth decay, known as smooth decay, also grows the slowest. It starts out as a white spot in the tooth, where the bacteria dissolve the enamel. Smooth decay is very common with those 20 – 30 years of age.

Pit or fissure decay is a bit more serious, forming along the narrow grooves in the chewing side of the molars. It progresses more rapidly, and can eat your teeth a lot faster than smooth decay. Due to the grooves being so narrow, it can be hard to clean them with regular bushing. Even though you may brush on a regular basis, this type of decay is hard to prevent without going to the dentist for your regular checkups and cleaning.

The last type of decay, known as root decay, begins on the surface of the root. Root decay is common with middle aged individuals. It is normally the result of dry mouth, a lot of sugar, or not taking care of your teeth. Root decay is the most difficult to prevent, and the most serious type of tooth decay so as night bruxism. It can eat teeth fast, leaving you no choice but to get the affected teeth removed.

Tooth decay is no laughing matter as well as bruxism, and should always be treated before it has time to spread and affect more of your teeth thus stop bruxism. If you visit your dentist for your regular checkups and cleaning, you can normally prevent it from starting. You should always brush on a daily basis, and use mouthwash such as Scope or Listerine to kill bacteria. Bacteria is always present in your mouth, although you can use mouthwash to kill it. If you take care of your teeth and follow the advice of your dentist, you can normally prevent tooth decay before it has a chance to eat at your teeth.

What is Sleep Bruxism?

Sleep Bruxism is a sterotyped movement disorder characterized by grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep. The disorder has also been identified as nocturnal bruxism, nocturnal tooth-grinding and nocturnal tooth-clenching.

What are the Symptoms?

The symptoms of Sleep Bruxism are tooth-grinding or tooth-clenching during sleep that may cause:

* abnormal wear of the teeth
* sounds associated with bruxism (It’s about as pleasant as fingernails on a chalkboard!)
* jaw muscle discomfort

How serious is the disorder?

Some people have episodes that occur less than nightly with no evidence of dental injury or impairment of psychosocial functioning. And others experience nightly episodes with evidence of mild impairment of psychosocial functioning. Yet others have nightly episodes with evidence of dental injury, tempomandibular (jaw) disorders, other physical injury or moderate or severe impairment of psychosocial functioning.

When someone with suspected sleep bruxism has a polysomnographic test there is evidence of jaw muscle activity during the sleep period and the absence of abnormal movement during sleep. Other sleep disorders may be present at the same time, e.g., obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome.

Damage to the teeth needs to be stopped. Pain and injury to the jaw may require surgery.

How is it treated?

If the damage is not advanced, your dentist can make you a mouthguard that fits over your lower set of teeth and prevents the two sets of teeth from grinding against each other. See below for treatments using neurofeedback to reduce stress, etc.