What is bruxism and why is it present?
Bruxism consists of an involuntary excessive clenching of the teeth that the patient cannot control. Its presence is more common in people with a nervous temperament and stress plays an important role in its development.
How is it detected?
Normally it is the dentist who detects bruxism by observing abnormal wear of the teeth. Sometimes there are alterations in the temporomandibular joint (which is the joint we use when chewing or speaking), due to the overexertion involved in clenching the teeth. Headache or headache may also appear due to the overload of the masticatory muscles.
The pathology, as can be seen, is multifactorial, so it can be detected by other specialists such as otorhinolaryngologists (due to the proximity of the joint to the ear), maxillofacial surgeons, neurologists (due to headaches), psychologists, physiotherapists, etc.
What are the consequences for the health of the teeth?
The consequences are mainly the excessive wear of the teeth and also that all the work carried out in the mouth is more likely to deteriorate (fillings, crowns, devitalized teeth, prostheses and even dental implants). The treatment involves strengthening the teeth and restoring them to their original shape, with crowns in most cases.
How can it be treated?
Conservative treatment is usually applied. Surgery is only used in very extreme cases and the results are uncertain.
As we have already mentioned, treatment is usually multifactorial, so the collaboration of several specialists may be necessary, although the most indicated is the dentist who knows how to treat this type of disorders. In addition to the use of medication (anti-inflammatory or muscle relaxants) and physiotherapy, the so-called unloading splints are indicated. These must be custom-made for each patient, and for this reason there are different types depending on the pathology being treated. They are mainly used at night, although they can also be used during the day, and it should be the dentist who determines their type, their use and the pertinent controls.