Teeth grinding, or bruxism as it is more technically termed, can be disturbing for those who suffer from the condition. It can also be difficult for those who spend a lot of time in their company; I know of at least one friend who finished with a partner because of it. Those suffering from bruxism tend to grind or clench their teeth at different times during the day and night. This clenching of the teeth is often done unconsciously and most commonly occurs when the person is asleep. This grinding of the teeth which occurs when the person is asleep is referred to as sleep bruxism.
Those with this teeth grinding problem are sometimes referred to as bruxers by those in the medical profession. However, most people don’t even realise they have the condition. The fact that teeth grinding often occurs unconsciously means that people might be completely unaware about the fact that they are doing it. Family and friends maybe feel too embarrassed to mention it, and this means that the condition can go untreated for years. If a single person has sleep bruxism there might be nobody to witness it. Some people don’t realize that they have a problem with teeth grinding until they begin to suffer ill-effects from it.
Continued teeth grinding can lead to a number of different symptoms. Tension in the jaw might lead to pain and stiffness in that area; it is even possible to completely dislocate the jaw this way. There may be noticeable damage occurring on the teeth due to abrasions which damage the tooth enamel. There might also be some damage observed on the bruxers’ inside cheek. The person with bruxism can experience regular headaches too. In the beginning though these symptoms may appear minor and so it could be some time before those with the condition decide to get help.
The University of Virginia (http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/adult_oralhlth/bruxism.cfm) advises people that the appropriate treatment for their bruxims will be dependent on a number of factors. Importantly, your views will need to be taken into account. A lot will also depend on your age and the severity with which you suffer with the condition; perhaps no treatment is required. If treatment is deemed necessary then a number of options exist.
The physician may advise that you wear a mouth-guard to protect your teeth and make you more aware of the times you are clenching. Behavior modification is credited with having some success and will teach techniques which discourage bruxism. Another option is biofeedback; here an electrical device will monitor the muscle activity in the mouth and ward the user when they are clenching their teeth.
Teeth clenching can be harmful if left untreated. The first important step is to recognize if you have the condition and warn those around you who are exhibiting this behavior. Once bruxism is noticed there are options with how to treat it.
Sources
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bruxism/DS00337
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/adult_oralhlth/bruxism.cfm
