Headache and chronic fatigue can be signs of bruxism. This is the name of the gnashing of teeth in a dream, caused by hypertonicity of the masticatory muscles.
Bruxism does not have the best effect not only on the condition of the oral cavity but also on the health of the body as a whole.
Together with a specialist, we understand why it occurs, what it threatens, and how it can be cured.
Causes of bruxism: why there is a night grinding of teeth
Most often, bruxism occurs due to malocclusion, the cause of which is the underdevelopment of the upper jaw. This feature appears when nasal breathing is difficult.
The position of the tongue, the strongest muscle in the body, also affects the bite. Normally, it is attached to the lower jaw and is located on the palate, and the tip is behind the upper central incisors. In this position, the tongue presses on the palate and contributes to the proper development of the jaws.
If the upper jaw is underdeveloped, there is not enough space for the tongue – and it does not lie on the palate, but below and occupies the entire oral cavity. Due to the incorrect position of the tongue, the lower jaw cannot grow. Over time, it moves back.
A person develops a malocclusion, in which the upper teeth protrude forward and do not touch the lower ones. This condition leads to health problems throughout the body.
Due to the incorrect position of the jaws and tongue, hypertonicity develops, or increased activity of the masticatory muscles. Their intensive work becomes the reason for the night grinding, during which the teeth are erased against each other.
There is another theory, the proponents of which believe that the cause of bruxism is stress and nervousness. But today, doctors believe that neurology cannot be the impetus for the development of the disease. Due to stress, the patient’s condition can worsen, but the main cause of nightly grinding of teeth is still malocclusion.
Signs of bruxism
Grinding of teeth is a key, but far from the only symptom that indicates bruxism. There are other signs by which the disease can be recognized.
Gnashing of teeth
It is difficult for the patient to notice the signs of bruxism himself. Relatives and friends can indicate the disease if they hear teeth grinding during sleep. But sometimes the symptoms are almost invisible.
Changing the shape of the face
The active work of the masticatory muscles changes the appearance of the face. It becomes square, the angles of the lower jaw protrude, and the cheekbones develop. But these changes are difficult to track because they happen slowly. Wide cheekbones are often attributed to genetics or structural features of the bone.
Headache
Another sign of bruxism is a headache in the temples. It is associated with the temporomandibular joint. The joint includes the articular head (part of the lower jaw) and the articular fossa (part of the skull). Between them is cartilage, which provides mobility.
In case of malocclusion, the articular head changes shape in order to prevent dysfunction of the joint. The lower jaw, when displaced, clamps the area where the nerve endings are concentrated. This is what causes headaches. Since patients rarely go to the dentist with such a symptom, neither doctors nor patients can understand what the pain is associated with. They are attributed to overwork, stress, and a sedentary lifestyle.
People continue to drink painkillers and look for the cause of pain in diseases of the brain or blood vessels. But only an orthodontist, who is engaged in correcting the position of teeth and bite, can solve the problem.
Diagnosis of bruxism
When bruxism does not manifest itself in any way, only an orthodontist can diagnose the disease. When examining a patient, he will immediately find the thin edges of the teeth, enamel chips, and worn bumps. To check the activity of the chewing muscles, you can do a myography. During the analysis, the device registers muscle contractions and displays the result in the form of a graph. Based on it, the doctor draws conclusions and makes a diagnosis. The transcript is then transmitted to the patient.
The study will show unbalanced muscle work, even if there is no nightly grinding. The fact is that external symptoms may disappear, but the problem and the cause of the disease remain and are ready to make themselves felt at any time. The impetus for this is often stress, and diseases of internal organs.
Should children be treated for bruxism?
In childhood, bruxism is a normal phenomenon, because the child’s bite is still being formed. When changing milk teeth to permanent ones, tubercles are erased, which normally helps to keep the teeth in a certain position.
So the body prepares for a change in bite. At this time, chewing muscles work more intensively, so at night parents can hear a characteristic rattle and notice active clenching of the jaws in babies. You should not be afraid of this.
Children’s bruxism does not require treatment. Usually, the disease itself goes away after the bite is formed. But there are situations when bruxism is aggravated due to stress, and frequent unrest. If the child calms down, the night grinding disappears on its own.
How is bruxism in adults treated?
Bruxism is not a dangerous disease, but it affects the health of the whole body. The incorrect bite causes problems with the temporomandibular joint, headaches, fatigue, and increased tooth wear. The latter affects the state of the digestive system, and hence the health of the whole body. To prevent illness, you should correct the bite in a timely manner and spare no time to visit the dentist.
Interestingly, most patients with bruxism are referred to neurologists. But a doctor in this specialty can only provide indirect help when the gnashing intensifies due to stress. In this case, the patient has been prescribed a sedative that relieves nervousness. Symptoms gradually disappear and cease to disturb. But neurological drugs will not be able to get rid of the disease.
The only one who can truly help is an orthodontist. After correcting the bite and correcting the position of the mandibular joint, bruxism disappears.
In addition to orthodontic treatment, restoration of teeth is also required. For this purpose, crowns, inlays, implants, and fillings made of polymeric materials are installed for the patient. When the bumps are worn out and the muscles lose their stable support, it is difficult for them to fix the jaws in the correct position. After restoring the shape of the teeth, this problem goes away.
To prevent the appearance of bruxism in an adult, it is necessary to correct the bite in childhood. This will help to avoid problems with the temporomandibular joint. In children, this procedure is faster and requires less effort. In adults, if the bite is already formed incorrectly, the therapy is complicated, and it is much more difficult to obtain the desired result.
Editorial Team
