Doctors call the phenomenon bruxism. What is meant is the grinding of teeth, which occurs mainly at night and is controlled by the central nervous system. What helps against teeth grinding? What are the long-term consequences?
It usually occurs at night, the grinding of the teeth. Teeth grinding is involuntary and has no real purpose. The pressing together and shifting of the rows of teeth can cause pain and lead to serious damage to the periodontium. In bruxism, movements similar to chewing are performed. This puts a lot of pressure on the teeth and jaw joints. Researchers have found that up to 480 kilograms per square centimeter can be exercised. Those affected report short but also long phases of up to 90 minutes. During this time, the high pressure appears unprotected and leads to serious damage, especially in the long term.
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What causes teeth grinding?
While until a few years ago physicians were still convinced that a malposition of the teeth is responsible for teeth grinding, today we know more about the causes. The central nervous system triggers the activities of the masticatory system. In addition to teeth grinding, teeth clenching is one of the so-called parafunctions. One of the most common causes is the unfavorable processing of stress . By grinding your teeth at night during the dream phase, the so-called REM phase, people cope with the stress that has not been sufficiently processed during the day.
Other causes can be:
- Poorly fitting dentures such as bridges, dentures or crowns
- Poorly fitting dental fillings
- Diseases of the periodontium such as gingivitis or periodontitis
- Craniomandibular dysfunction, or CMD for short, is a misregulation of the temporomandibular joint
- Rarely neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis
How do I know if I’m grinding my teeth?
For around 80% of those affected, the teeth grinding only occurs at night. After a while, the grinding and clenching processes leave clear marks on the teeth, which are also visible to non-professionals. Chewed teeth with rounded corners can count as well as the imprints of the teeth in the cheek or on the tongue. A stiff, tired lower jaw or irritation of the roots of the teeth, which manifests itself as pain when chewing, can be other clues. Some sufferers also report pressure on their ears and headachesand neck tension. A feeling of lightheadedness is very rarely displayed. In very severe cases, the yellowish dentin appears under the enamel and the teeth are extremely sensitive. In most cases, those affected are informed by their partner about the nocturnal movement of the chewing ridges. During the day, the phenomenon occurs only rarely and is shown here primarily by a strong pressing of the rows of teeth. The wear and tear of the teeth is similarly pronounced. In many cases, slight grooves and abrasion marks can be seen in both directions on the tooth surfaces. They are called abrasions or cut facets. In all cases, you should see a dentist. Only he can assess with the appropriate examination methods and a detailed anamnesis,
Stress to blame for grinding your teeth at night?
Psychological factors play an important role both in waking bruxism, i.e. clenching your teeth during the day, and in night-time teeth grinding, i.e. sleep bruxism. According to the latest findings, a genetic predisposition, coffee and nicotine and the intake of medication also play a role. Mental stress leads to stress that our organism tries to break down at night. Teeth grinding usually occurs unconsciously and those affected get used to the grinding. Good self-observation and conscious perception is the best way to train yourself away from grinding your teeth. Relaxation exercises can help against the stress and psychotherapy can be useful under certain circumstances. In addition, manual therapy with massages in the jaw area and heat treatments often relieves tension and pain. Physiotherapeutic exercises should be carried out regularly at home so that the entire musculature is relaxed.
Does a splint help against bruxism?
The so-called bite splint, also known as a crunching splint, is often used by the dentist to prevent the teeth from being damaged. It prevents further abrasion and is usually worn at night. Studies have shown that the splint reduces jaw muscle activity in sleep bruxism in 50 to 75% of sufferers. However, almost one in four reports that rail has made the situation worse. The costs for the lower jaw splint can be submitted to the statutory health insurance companies as a health insurance benefit. Dentists often recommend their patients to have an examination with detailed functional diagnostics of the jaw, to determine further abnormalities and to be able to include possible tooth misalignments or jaw problems in the treatment. Statutory health insurance companies generally do not cover these costs. The costs for the examination are around 120 to 250 euros and should be clarified with the dentist beforehand.
