Are You Suffering from Teeth Grinding or Bruxism?

The condition which leads you to grind, clench or gnash is known as bruxism. If you are affected by this problem you may clench your teeth unconsciously when you are awake or clench and grind them when asleep. This problem affects many people throughout the world and therefore if you are dealing with bruxism in Houston it should not come as a surprise to you. The two conditions described above are known as awake bruxism and sleep bruxism.

Sleep-related movement disorders are considered as sleep bruxism. This is common with people who clench or grind their teeth when sleeping and are likely to have other sleep disorders such as snoring and sleep apnea. Mild cases of this problem may not require any treatment. However, if the problem becomes severe it can lead to disorders of the jaw, headaches, damaged teeth as well as other problems. If you are suffering from sleep bruxism and are not aware of the condition it will be essential for you to understand the signs and symptoms of this condition before you seek treatment for sleep bruxism in Houston TX.

What Are The Symptoms Of Bruxism?

The symptoms of bruxism may include any of the following:

• Disruption in sleep.
• Flattened, chipped, fractured, or loose teeth.
• Teeth grinding or clenching creating loud noises even to wake up your sleeping partner.
• Pain or soreness in the neck, face, and jaw.
• Pain resembling an earache despite not being a problem with the ear.
• Worn tooth enamel which exposes deeper layers of your tooth.
• Headache beginning from the temples.
• The insides of your cheek suffering from damages because of chewing.

If you or any member of your family is suffering from any of the above symptoms you are suggested to consult with your dentist in Houston for advice about how you can overcome this problem.

The Causes Of Bruxism

The causes of bruxism are still unknown even to doctors but it is believed it could be due to a combination of genetic, psychological, and physical factors.

• Awake bruxism may be triggered by emotions like anxiety, anger, stress, frustration, and tension. It may also be a strategy to cope with the conditions mentioned or a habit when concentrating deeply.
• Sleep bruxism is considered as a sleep-related chewing activity triggered by arousals during sleep.

What Are The Risk Factors That Trigger Bruxism?

• Medications and substances — certain psychiatric medications such as antidepressants can cause an uncommon side effect like bruxism. Smoking tobacco, having alcohol, using recreational drugs, and drinking caffeinated beverages has the potential to increase the risk of bruxism.
• Stress — teeth grinding is directly related to higher anxiety levels and stress which often lead to anger and frustration.
• Age — younger children are commonly affected by this problem although it does not remain with them for long.
• Hereditary characteristics — sleep bruxism has a hereditary trait and can run in families. If you are suffering from the problem other members may also display similar problems or may have already done so earlier.

Certain medical and mental health disorders like dementia, Parkinson’s, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, epilepsy, sleep-related disorders like sleep apnea as well as ADHD can also trigger sleep bruxism.

Are You at Risk Of Complications?

Bruxism in most cases does not cause any serious complications. However, severe cases of sleep bruxism can potentially lead to:

• Damage to your teeth, crowns, restorations, and jaw.
• You may suffer from severe facial pain or pain in the jaw.
• Headaches resembling the stress-related variety may affect you.
• Disorders can occur in the temporomandibular joints located on either side of your mouth creating a clicking sound when you open and close your mouth.

Diagnosing Sleep Bruxism

If you are displaying signs of sleep bruxism your dentist near you may look for changes in your teeth and mouth over several visits to understand whether the condition is progressive and to determine whether treatment is needed for the condition. You may be recommended to a sleep specialist to conduct more tests to assess the episodes of teeth grinding which could provide an indication of whether you are suffering from sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.

Treatment for sleep bruxism is not necessary in most cases. Children outgrow this problem without treatment and adults manage the problem effectively without needing therapy. However, in severe conditions of sleep bruxism, it may become necessary to obtain treatment for sleep bruxism in Houston TX by contacting dentists or physicians for therapies and medications to prevent to the tooth and relieve the pain from the jaw. Discuss with your dentist or physician to understand which option may best suit your requirements.