What is Teeth Clenching (Bruxism)?
Teeth clenching usually occurs involuntarily during sleep with the movements of the person’s jaw. Tooth clenching, most of which occurs for psychological reasons, often develops due to stress. Apart from chewing and swallowing activities, the lower and upper jaw come into strong contact with each other, which causes serious damage to oral and dental health. Clenching of teeth during sleep with unobstructed jaw movements is called bruxism.
What are the causes of teeth clenching?
Tooth clenching disease is mostly seen during sleep as a result of our stressful daily life. Among the causes of teeth clenching in general:
- Stress
- Personality structure
- Hereditary factors
- Drugs used
- Psychological problems
- Neurological problems
- Sleep disorders can be listed.
Apart from these reasons, lower upper jaw incompatibilities, missing or decayed teeth can also be caused, although they are very rare. However, it is often seen in patients who do not have problems in oral and dental health.
What problems does teeth clenching or grinding cause?
Clenching or grinding of teeth; causes headache, facial pain and jaw pain. In the following stages, there is difficulty in eating and difficulty in opening and closing the mouth due to the jaw joint problem. In more advanced stages, jaw locking, loosening of the teeth, tooth fractures and jaw slippage may occur.
How to treat teeth clenching?
Tooth clenching treatment is planned individually according to the patient’s condition. In treatments, appliances are used to prevent damage caused by teeth clenching and grinding. The apparatus protects the teeth by reducing the pressure on the jaw and teeth. With the apparatus also called “night protectors”, the contact of the lower and upper jaw teeth is prevented.
In order to completely prevent teeth clenching and grinding, it is necessary to eliminate stress and depression, which are the source of the problem. For this reason, the treatment process can be continued with medication support after psychiatric evaluation.