What is bruxism: how teeth grinding ruins our health

Most often, bruxism is due to malocclusion, the cause of which is the underdevelopment of the upper jaw. This characteristic appears when nasal breathing is difficult.

The position of the tongue, the strongest muscle in the body, also affects biting. Normally it is attached to the lower jaw and is located on the palate, and the tip is located behind the upper central incisors. In this position, the tongue presses on the palate and contributes to the proper development of the jaws.

If the upper jaw is underdeveloped, there is not enough space for the tongue – and it does not lie on the palate, but below it and occupies the entire oral cavity. Due to the incorrect position of the tongue, the lower jaw cannot develop. Over time, it recedes.

A person develops an overbite, in which the upper teeth protrude forward and do not touch the lower teeth. This condition leads to health problems throughout the body.

Due to the incorrect position of the jaws and tongue, hypertonicity develops or increased activity of the masticatory muscles. Their intensive work becomes the reason for the nocturnal grinding, during which the teeth rub against each other.

There is another theory, the proponents of which believe that the cause of bruxism is stress and nervousness. But today, doctors believe that neurology cannot be the driving force behind the development of the disease. Due to stress, the patient’s condition may worsen, but the main cause of nocturnal teeth grinding remains malocclusion.

Teeth grinding is a key, but far from the only symptom that indicates bruxism. There are other signs by which the disease can be recognized.

It is difficult for the patient to notice the signs of bruxism on their own. Relatives and friends can indicate the disease if they hear teeth grinding while sleeping. But sometimes the symptoms are almost invisible.

The active work of the masticatory muscles changes the appearance of the face. It becomes square, the angles of the lower jaw protrude, the cheekbones grow. But these changes are difficult to track because they happen slowly. Wide cheekbones are often attributed to genetics or structural characteristics of the bone.

Another sign of bruxism is a headache in the temples. It is associated with the temporomandibular joint. The joint includes the articular head (part of the lower jaw) and the articular fossa (part of the skull). Between them is the cartilage, which provides mobility.

With malocclusion, the joint head changes shape in order to prevent joint dysfunction. The lower jaw, when moved, squeezes the area where the nerve endings are concentrated. This is what causes headaches. Since patients rarely go to the dentist with such a symptom, neither doctors nor patients can figure out what the pain is associated with. They are attributed to overwork, stress, sedentary lifestyle.

People continue to drink painkillers, look for the cause of pain in diseases of the brain or blood vessels. But only an orthodontist, engaged in correcting the position of the teeth and the bite, can solve the problem.

When bruxism does not manifest itself in any way, only an orthodontist can diagnose the disease. When examining a patient, he will immediately detect the thin edges of the teeth, chips of enamel, worn bumps. To check the activity of the masticatory muscles, you can do a myography. During the analysis, the device records muscle contractions and displays the result as a graph. Based on this, the doctor draws conclusions, makes a diagnosis. The transcript is then transmitted to the patient.

The study will show unbalanced muscle work, even if there is no night grinding. The fact is that the external symptoms may disappear, but the problem and the cause of the disease remain and are ready to make themselves felt at any time. The impetus for this is often stress, diseases of internal organs.

In childhood, bruxism is a normal phenomenon, since the child’s bite is still forming. When baby teeth are replaced with permanent teeth, the tubercles are erased, which normally helps to hold the teeth in a certain position.

Thus, the body prepares for a change in bite. At this time, the chewing muscles work more intensively, so at night parents can hear a characteristic rattle and notice active clenching of the jaws in babies. You shouldn’t be afraid of that.

Bruxism in children does not require treatment. Usually the disease itself disappears after the bite has formed. But there are situations when bruxism is aggravated by stress, frequent disorders. If the child calms down, the nocturnal squeak disappears on its own.

Bruxism is not a dangerous disease, but it affects the health of the whole body. Incorrect bite causes temporomandibular joint problems, headaches, fatigue, increased tooth wear. The latter affects the state of the digestive system, and therefore the health of the whole body. To prevent the disease, you need to correct the bite in a timely manner and not waste time visiting the dentist.

Interestingly, most patients with bruxism are referred to neurologists. But a doctor of this specialization can only provide indirect help when the grinding intensifies due to stress. In this case, the patient is prescribed a sedative that relieves nervousness. Symptoms gradually disappear and cease to bother. But neurological drugs will not be able to get rid of the disease.

The only one who can really help is an orthodontist. After correction of the occlusion and correction of the position of the mandibular joint, the bruxism disappears.

In addition to orthodontic treatment, tooth restoration is also necessary. For this purpose, crowns, inlays, implants, fillings made of polymer materials are installed for the patient. When the bumps are worn out and the muscles lose their stable support, it is difficult for them to fix the jaws in the correct position. After restoring the shape of the teeth, this problem disappears.

To prevent the onset of bruxism in an adult, it is necessary to correct the sting in childhood. This will help avoid problems with the temporomandibular joint. In children, this procedure is faster and requires less effort. In adults, if the bite is already poorly formed, the therapy is complicated and it is much more difficult to achieve the desired result.