Tooth Grinding

Tooth grinding is also known as Bruxism in medical. There are generally two kinds of teeth grinding namely

Tooth grinding when awake
This event takes place when teeth grinded at the time of being still awake. It has been evident that its more commonly found in the women than men.
Tooth Grinding at sleep time
As mentioned in its name itself, tooth grinding occurs when you start grinding your teeth unknowingly at the time of sleep. Sleep bruxism is found equally common in both men and women.

Both types of tooth grinding may indicate similar symptoms but the occurrence of teeth grinding during sleep is more worst than the grinding the teeth when you are awake, because at the time of sleeping you will not be able to recognize or realize the movement process of your teeth being grinded.

Reasons for teeth grinding

Stress and strain with anxiety.
Missing or crooked teeth.
Abnormal biting by the action of semi voluntary oral habits.
Accompanied with sleep disorder.

Symptoms

Hypersensitivity of teeth.
Weariness of teeth.
Constant headache.
Burning sensation of tongue.
Pain and tenderness at the jaw.

If you feel that you have this disorder of grinding your teeth, approach your dentist immediately to get treatment and to avoid further damage of teeth.

Diagnostic

Tooth grinding is diagnosed by your dental history and examination of your teeth by the dentist. The utilization of the diagnostic system of polysomnography displays the level of activity of excessive grinding during sleep and other certain devices such as bruxcare bruxism-monitoring device, “intra-splint force detector (ISFD) and electrography aids in the diagnosis of the disorder.

Treatment

In simple stage of tooth grinding, it can be treated by proper usage of dental guards and splints. In advanced stage, the damaged tooth might have to be removed.

Authored By Dr.C.M.Bejoy Mony, M.D.S.