Bruxism: Consequences and Treatment
In moments of high stress, anxiety, and pain it is natural to clench one’s teeth together and grind. Most do it, for it is a natural reaction and outlet for the high emotions present during these situations. Some, however, clench their teeth much more than others for reasons that include and exceed the usual high stress and painful models. They clench when depressed, bored, or even in their sleep. Bruxism is the act of clenching or grinding your teeth together. Most people live with, and deal with, this. Chronic bruxism, however, is when this clenching and grinding become a habit, part of daily life. This causes major consequences and should be avoided at all costs.
Chronic bruxism is one of the leading causes of temperomandibular joint problems (TMJ). TMK disorders are problems with the chewing muscles and joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. It can be very painful and requires medical attention and therapy. Bruxism also damages teeth. Even mild forms of bruxism wears down teeth, which is why clenching your teeth should always be avoided. As the teeth wear down, the enamel or protection begins to recede making them much more susceptible to decay. In this case, visits to a Westerville dental office will be much more common.
Treatment of bruxism centers around softening the pain, preventing permanent damage to the teeth, and reducing clenching as much as possible. Relieving the pain may be as thorough as medical therapy, to as simple as applying ice to the sore jaw muscles. To prevent permanent damage to the teeth, mouth guards or splints are commonly used. These are especially important as many times one clenches and grinds his or her teeth subconsciously in sleep. With a mouth guard, this subconscious and unnecessary damage will be prevented. Visit www.westervilledentistoffice.com to find a dentist that will give you a mouthguard or splint. Finally, the best way to treat bruxism is to get to the root of the problem. Therapeutic methods have been used to get people to unlearn their clenching behaviors. Moreover, reducing stress and anxiety in your life will do wonders in treating bruxism. Depending on how severe, this can be achieved through simple, conscious, and meaningful relaxation, or, if more prevalent, through helpful therapy and medication.
Bruxism is a seemingly innocent action that has heavy consequences. It is a bad habit that should never be explored. Fortunately there are ways to prevent it, and treat its poor consequences. Clenching your teeth is a natural thing to do- most do it- but with careful and meticulous care you can overcome this common habit and beat out its negative consequences.