Bruxism
Nocturnal bruxism is an involuntary act of grinding teeth during
sleep. It is estimated that 20 percent of American adults have bruxism
and is mainly caused by stress.
Causes
The direct cause of bruxism is unknown but sleep experts believe
there are several factors related to this disorder:
- Stress
- Facial trauma
- Oral trauma
- Nervous system malfunction
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- Poor diet
- Allergies
- Alcohol
- Drugs
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Bruxism causes tempromandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), headaches and
earaches. Teeth can be ground down so much that periodontal disease
as well as tissue and nerve damage can occur and teeth can be become
virtually useless. This disorder affects both men and women equally
and can go undetected for years.
Treatment
A dentist usually detects bruxism. Molars, located in the back
of the mouth, are usually the teeth that suffer the most damage.
Diagnosis is generally based on dental history and careful examination.
Regular trips to the dentist can help deter bruxism.
Two treatments are primarily used for bruxism. Because stress is
primarily the reason why people grind their teeth, relaxation therapies
to reduce habitual grinding are strongly recommended. The other
treatment used for bruxism is a rubber mouth guard, known as an
occlusive guard.
More about sleep disorders
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