2023-09-07 06:00:24
Posted on September 7, 2023
Bruxism is a common but troublesome disorder that affects many people. Do we know why it occurs? What are its risk factors? How can it affect health? And what are the treatment options available?
Bruxism is the habit of clenching or grinding the teeth, either consciously or unconsciously, during the day or night, excluding mealtimes. There are two main forms of bruxism: centric, which involves clenching of the teeth, and eccentric, which also involves rubbing of the teeth.
There is no specific cause for bruxism. It is a conduct disorder, a pathological habit that is difficult to eliminate. Although no single cause can be determined, stress and anxiety situations often contribute to the initiation and maintenance of this harmful habit.
This pathology more frequently affects women and, as mentioned above, stress and anxiety can be triggering factors. Furthermore, some abnormalities in dental occlusion or tooth fit may also be present in certain cases.
It can affect anyone, including children. However, the typical profile of the patient with bruxism is usually a person between 30 and 55 years of age who lives with a certain degree of anxiety and stress.
The constant clenching and grinding of the teeth leads to their excessive wear. In addition, it generates an intense contracture in the chewing muscles, such as the masseter and temporal muscles.
In the long term, bruxism can also cause damage to the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). Initially, functional overload and pain may be experienced when opening the mouth and chewing. As the condition worsens, damage to the articular meniscus can lead to dehydration and thinning of the meniscus, affecting its cushioning function. This is manifested by joint clicking and clicking, and the pain intensifies. In advanced stages, there may be difficulty opening the mouth and severe pain with any movement. In extreme cases, the temporomandibular joints can be completely destroyed.
The treatment of bruxism involves several approaches. Initially, the use of an off-loading splint is recommended, which places the jaw in an optimal position and acts as a shock absorber to prevent pressure from reaching the joint. In addition, this splint protects the teeth from excessive wear. In some cases, botulinum toxin (Botox) can be used to infiltrate the chewing muscles and achieve intense relaxation, which improves function and well-being.
However, it is crucial to emphasize that the patient’s collaboration is essential in the treatment of bruxism. He must understand the importance of the problem and strive to correct it. During the day, it is important to maintain a relaxed jaw position with no contact between the teeth. During the night, the discharge splint should be used and regular check-ups with the specialist should be followed.
The ultimate cure involves giving up the habit completely. We have treated patients whose temporomandibular joints were unrecoverable due to bruxism. Others have experienced significant tooth wear. Any treatment that is applied will have limited results if the patient continues to clench the teeth. Giving up this habit is essential. Although some patients question how they can stop clenching at night, when they are asleep and are unaware of it, the reality is that few only clench their teeth while they sleep. Most also do it during the day.
Dr. Manuel Chamorro Pons
Bruxism is not only harmful when performed with great intensity and notoriety. Even applying light or inconspicuous pressure for many hours can cause damage. The ideal or resting position implies a slight separation between the upper and lower teeth, without coming into contact. This is the position that we must adopt and maintain, and we must only bring our teeth together when chewing during meals. While kicking the habit of bruxism can be challenging, it is a crucial step in understanding its importance and the damage it can do to our health if we don’t overcome it.
In conclusion, bruxism is a detrimental disorder that affects oral health and temporomandibular joints. Although there are treatments to alleviate the symptoms, the definitive cure requires abandoning the bruxist habit. With patient collaboration and proper follow-up, we can achieve a significant improvement in quality of life and oral health.
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