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| 1.
What
is bruxism? |
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Bruxism
is the technical term for grinding and clenching that
abrades teeth and may cause facial pain. People who
grind and clench called bruxers, unintentionally bite
down too hard an inappropriate times, such as in their
sleep. In addition to grinding teeth, bruxers also
may bite their fingernails, pencils and chew the inside
of their cheek. People usually aren't diagnosed with
bruxism until it is too late because so many don't
realize they have the habit. Others mistakenly believe
that their teeth must touch at all times. About one
in three people suffer from bruxism, which can easily
be treated by a dentist.
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| 2. Can bruxism cause harm? |
| People
who have otherwise healthy teeth and gums can clench
so often and so hard that over time their teeth
become sensitive. They experience jaw pain, tense
muscles and headaches along with excessive wear
on their teeth. Forceful biting when not eating
may cause the jaw to move out of proper balance. |
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| 3. What are the signs? |
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When
a person has bruxism, the tips of the teeth look
flat. Teeth are worn down so much that the enamel
ins rubbed off, exposing the inside of the tooth
which is called dentin. When exposed, dentin may
become sensitive. Bruxers may experience pain in
their temporomandibular joint (TMJ)-the jaw-which
may manifest itself as popping and clicking. Women
have a higher prevalence of bruxism possibly because
they are more likely to experience tissue alterations
in the jaw resulting form clenching and grinding.
Tongue indentations are another sign of clenching.
Symptoms bruxers are more likely to notice themselves
are headaches, earaches, sore jaw muscles, and "popping"
sounds in the jaw (a sign of TMJ damage or an out
of balance jaw).
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| 4. Causes of Teeth Grinding |
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Stress,
anxiety and anger are the most common causes of
jaw clenching in adults, and highly competitive "Type A" personalities are often prone
to bruxism. Some sleep disorders can aggravate the
condition, as can alcohol consumption and some medications.
Dental problems, including improper alignment of
upper and lower teeth, can also lead to clenching
and grinding.
Children can also brux.
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