Learning About the Effects of Bruxism Many Americans suffer from a condition called bruxism, which is the grinding or clenching of the teeth.

Many children suffer from bruxism, grinding or clenching their teeth and jaws at night while they sleep.

There are many reasons why an adult or child may suffer from bruxism. One of the main causes of

bruxism is stress and anxiety.

The Symptoms of Bruxism When someone is worrying excessively about something, or is exceedingly tense, they will tend to

clench their jaw and teeth. This is the body’s way of reacting to the stress; the body hopes by clenching

the jaw and teeth, some of the

stress will be relieved.

However, bruxism has the opposite

effect. When someone clenches

their jaw or teeth, it only serves to

make them feel more tense and

agitated.

Oftentimes, bruxism can lead to

painful earaches and headaches.

The pressure on the jaw is more

than the jaw can handle, and so a

headache ensues.

Chronic teeth grinding can also

wear down the enamel on your teeth. Tooth enamel is the outer layer on your teeth that protects your

teeth from harmful substances.

If this enamel is worn down, your teeth can become exposed to harmful germs and bacteria and also

may become more easily damaged. Teeth can oftentimes even be chipped from excessive grinding.

Temporomandibular joint disease, or TMJ, is often a result of bruxism. TMJ symptoms include: pain and

tenderness in the jaw, neck, and shoulders, difficulty chewing, misalignment of jaw, and limited ability

to open the jaw very wide.

If you or someone you love shows signs of some of these TMJ symptoms, then you should see a teeth

and mouth specialist as soon as possible. It is important that you get help for these TMJ symptoms

before they worsen.

Another adverse effect of bruxism is an annoying grinding sound that comes from the teeth. This can

bother family members and friends and often makes people not want to be around you.

Treatments for Bruxism Treatments for bruxism vary by case. One common treatment is to try to catch yourself in the act of

grinding.

Tying a piece of string around your finger can help remind me to check that you are not grinding your

teeth. It may seem difficult at first, but with time you will get better at it.

Oftentimes, children suffering from bruxism simply outgrow it. This is the ideal situation for a parent.

However, sometimes they do not. If left untreated, bruxism can cause severe damage to teeth.

This is why it is imperative that whoever is suffering from bruxism get treatment as soon as possible.

Another treatment option is to wear a night guard at night.

These night guards are similar to a plastic retainer that one wears on the teeth at night. The guard acts

as a protector between your teeth so they are not damaged by grinding.

If your child’s bruxism is caused by stress, however, their bruxism will probably not go away until the

source of the stress goes away. You obviously cannot eliminate all forms of stress in your child’s life, but

you can help them manage and cope with the stresses they do have.