Bruxism Help By DR Ujawala Mavalankar Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Have you ever been told that you grind your teeth? The oral habit which involves clenching and grinding of the teeth is not uncommon in today's society and is called bruxism. Approximately 50% to 96% of adults experience bruxism and 15% of children acquire this behavior. Bruxism can occur during the day or night and most often this habit goes unnoticed by the afflicted individual.

So what exactly causes bruxism?

While believed to be a combination of many factors, including emotional stress, personalities characterized as aggressive, controlling, precise, or who have time urgency and achievement compulsion tend to develop bruxism malocclusion (teeth that are not aligned properly) bruxism appears to have no specific cause. Children whose parents brux are more likely to develop this habit than children whose parents do not brux.

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Signs of bruxism:

1. tooth wear
2. fractures of the teeth and fillings
3. grinding noise noticed by a sleeping partner
4. facial muscle pain and fatigue
5. locking, cracking, and clicking of the jaws
6. headaches
7. tooth mobility
8. sensitive teeth

Treatment of bruxism:

Nightguard

• Treatment begins by making you aware of the habit and suggesting behavioral therapies to stop the bruxism. Reducing the emotional stress you may be experiencing through stress reduction and coping techniques may be indicated.
• A removable intra-oral appliance called a nightguard or bruxism splint can be made for you. 
• The mouthguard protects the teeth from the forces of clenching and grinding the teeth together. A mouthguard or nightguard is more practical for treating the night bruxer than for those who have daytime clenching and grinding habits.