Bruxism: Not the Usual Grind

Greetings from Dr. Pasch, Dr. Yam, Dr. Shirzadnia and Dr. Song!

Do you think you grind while sleeping? Sure, it's annoying when friends, spouses or children grind their teeth at night, but the effects could be much more serious than the loss of a good night's sleep on your part. This sleep disorder, called bruxism, can lead to a number of ailments, including loose or lost teeth. Even lighter grinding can wear down tooth enamel. Bruxism can also cause another condition called temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ). TMJ occurs when the muscles, joints and ligaments of the jaw move out of alignment. Symptoms of TMJ include headache, earache and pain in the face, neck or shoulder.

"But," you ask, "don't we all grind our teeth once and a while?" It's true that a number of people grind their teeth during periods of stress, but chronic grinders – those that suffer from bruxism at least once a week – could eventually pay the price. Not only can it lead to the ailments already mentioned, but can result in daytime sleepiness and headaches as well.

Research has also discovered that people who brux are more likely to snore, suffer from breathing pauses during sleep and be victims of sleep apnea. As is the case in many sleeping problems, stress is a major cause. It's not unusual to clench or grind the teeth when angry or nervous. The use of tobacco, alcohol or caffeine tends to aggravate the problem. What's more, nobody is immune. All age groups and genders are susceptible to bruxism, though most cases occur among those between the ages of 19 to 44.

There are a number of things you can do if you feel either you or somebody you love is suffering from bruxism. For starters, try to alleviate whatever stress in your life you can. Kick the tobacco habit and heavy drinking, and try not to drink too much coffee. Severe cases may need to be fitted with a mouth guard or have their teeth reshaped to eliminate unusual alignment. If you feel you may be suffering from bruxism, call our office at 212-689-0024 or email us at appts@newyorkdenturedental.com for a consultation.


Regards,

Herald Square Dental
& The Denture Center

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References: www.idanewsletters.com