What Is Bruxism Symptoms
And Associated Factors?
Bruxism is the grinding of the teeth, and is typically accompanied by the clenching of the jaw. It is an oral parafunctional activity that occurs in most humans at some time in their lives. In most cases, grinding teeth is mild enough not to be a health problem. While this problem may be a diurnal or nocturnal activity, it is teeth grinding during sleep which causes the majority of health issues, and can even occur during short naps. Bruxism is one of the most common Sleep Disorders.
Numerous articles have incorrectly cited bruxism as being a reflex chewing activity, but teeth grinding is more accurately classified as a habit. Reflex activities happen reliably in response to a stimulus, without involvement of subconscious brain activity, and bruxism does not. All habitual activities are triggered by one kind of stimulus or another, and that does not make the habit a reflex. Chewing is a complex neuromuscular activity that is controlled by subconscious processes, with higher control by the brain. During sleep the subconscious processes become active, while the higher control is inactive, resulting in grinding teeth. Some tooth grinding causes is rhythmic (like chewing), and some is sustained (clenching). Researchers classify bruxism as "a habitual behavior, and a sleep disorder."
The etiology of problematic teeth grinding causes is unknown, though several conditions are known to be linked to grinding your teeth. It is theorized that certain medical conditions can trigger bruxism, including digestive ailments and anxiety.
Sypmtoms
Patients may present with a variety of symptoms, including: * Morning migraines * Morning headaches * Jaw pain * TMJ pain * Facial muscle and nerve pain * Earache * Sinus pain * Tinnitus (ringing in the ear) * Vertigo * Neck pain * Shoulder pain * Back pain * Poor sleep * Waking exhausted * Stress or tension * Depression * Eating disorders * Insomnia * Daytime sleepiness * Eye irritation * Head tingling
Diagnoses
Teeth grinding can sometimes be difficult to diagnose by visual evidence alone, as it is not the only cause of tooth wear. Over-vigorous brushing, abrasives in toothpaste, acidic soft drinks and abrasive foods can also be contributing factors, although each causes characteristic wear patterns that a trained professional can identify. Additionally, the presenting symptoms may be difficult for a physician to attribute to bruxism.
The most reliable way to diagnose why you grind your teeth while sleeping is through EMG (electromyographic) measurements. These measurements pick up electrical signals from the chewing muscles (masseter and temporalis). This is the method used in sleep labs. There are three forms of EMG measurement available to consumers for use outside sleep labs.
The first is bedside EMG units similar to those used by sleep labs. These units can be purchased for about $2000, pick up their signals from facial muscles through wires connecting the bedside unit to electrodes which are adhesively attached to the user's face. TENS electrodes or ECG electrodes may be used.
The second type of EMG measurement available to consumers is a self-contained EMG measurement headband sold under the trade name SleepGuard, available on loan from some dentists, or at a rental rate of $50 per month from the manufacturer. The EMG measurement headband does not require adhesive electrodes or a wires attached to the face. While it does not record the exact time, duration, and strength of each clenching incident as the most expensive bedside EMG monitors do, it does record the total number of clenching incidents, and the total clenching time each night. These two numbers easily distinguish clenching from rhythmic grinding, and allow dentists to accurately quantify severity levels.
A third method of diagnosing teeth grinding and clenching is using EMG is available in disposable form under the trade name BiteStrip. The BiteStrip is a self-contained EMG module that adhesively mounts to the side of the face over the masseter muscle. The BiteStrip can only do one night of measurement, and does not display the clench count or total clenching time, but rather provides a single-digit display related to your teeth grinding severity. The BiteStrip provides significantly less information than an EMG bedside unit or EMG headband, and costs about $60 per day to use.
Associated Factors
The following factors are associated with bruxism.
* Disturbed sleep patterns and other sleep disorders (obstructive sleep apnea), hypopnea, snoring, moderate daytime sleepiness.
* Malocclusion, in which the upper and lower teeth occlude in a disharmonic way, e.g., through premature contact of back tooth.
* Relatively high levels of consumption of caffeinated drinks and foods, such as coffee, colas, and chocolate.
* High levels of blood alcohol
* Smoking
* High levels of anxiety, stress,[8] work-related stress, irregular work shifts, stressful profession and ineffective coping strategies.
* Medication, such as SSRIs and stimulants
* Hypersensitivity of the dopamine receptors in the brain
* Stimulant drugs, particularly those of the amphetamine-based family (including ecstasy (MDMA) and speed)
* GHB and similar GABA-inducing analogues such as Phenibut, when taken with high frequency
* Disorders such as Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases
* Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
There is no single accepted cure for teeth grinding. However, Bruxism Treatments are available.
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