This usually happens during sleep, often without the person realising it, and only family members may know. Teeth grinding can also occur when the person is awake, as a way of releasing accumulated tension.
Over time, chronic teeth grinding can lead to tooth loss by affecting the supporting bone and gum recession. The teeth become misaligned and the bite needs adjusting. Eventually, teeth can fall out. In the long term, teeth grinding can cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. This usually occurs in the muscles, joints and joint discs of the jaw.
Here are a few reasons why it's good not to ignore this seemingly trivial condition.
Possible causes of bruxism
Bruxism, or bruxomania, are the medical terms for teeth grinding. If teeth are sensitive to hot and cold, bruxism may occur. Stress, allergies, and nutrient deficiencies are often the cause of bruxism. Another major contributing factor is blood sugar levels.
Most of the time, this condition is detected during dental check-ups. The signs of bruxism manifest on the teeth through the appearance of enamel cracks, changes in tooth shape, wear of the side teeth, and flattening of the front teeth.
Symptoms that indicate you might be suffering from bruxism:
- Headaches or pain in the temporomandibular joint area
- earache
- sensitive teeth
- Muscle fatigue, especially in the morning, in the area of the masticatory muscles
- Maxillary incisors
The main problem caused by bruxism is the premature and excessive wear of teeth, which can crack and deteriorate over time. Before this problem arises, if you have caught yourself grinding your teeth occasionally, especially due to stress, in addition to relaxation methods and behavioural therapies, the following dietary recommendations can help.
Nutritional recommendations
Dietary recommendations suggest a diet rich in fibre and protein. Include plenty of fresh vegetables and fibre-rich fruits, fresh nuts and seeds, turkey.
Eat fewer hard vegetables and very sweet fruits. Eat six to eight small meals a day, instead of two or three large ones. Hypoglycaemia, linked to the malfunction of the adrenal gland, is often the cause of bruxism.
Avoid unhealthy foods, fried or processed foods, refined sugar, saturated fats, and dairy products, with the exception of yoghurt, kefir, and fresh cheese. Also avoid all foods with artificial flavourings, colourings, preservatives, and other chemicals.
Avoid allergenic foods that can be a problem.
Do not consume alcoholic beverages. Alcohol will worsen the situation.
Avoid stress as much as possible. Learn stress control and relaxation techniques.
Do not hesitate to have a hair analysis performed to determine the mineral balance, such as low levels of sodium and potassium.
Take supplements of calcium and pantothenic acid (vitamin B6). Calcium is often effective in treating involuntary muscle movements, and vitamin B6 helps reduce stress. Vitamin C with bioflavonoids boosts adrenal function and acts as an anti-stress vitamin.
Another supplement, melatonin, helps with restful sleep and reduces bruxism.
Belladonna, a homeopathic remedy, is a good treatment in such situations.
Dental medical check-up
Some dentists may recommend the use of a night guard, a type of appliance worn over the teeth to prevent wear and damage. In cases of orthodontic problems, such as crowded teeth, gaps between teeth, or malocclusions, these issues must be addressed with appropriate dental treatments.
As there is no universally applicable treatment plan for all forms of bruxism, the first step is to schedule a dental medical consultation. Following an analysis of several factors, such as: oral hygiene, sources of stress, habits and nervous tics, jaw musculature, the presence of broken or missing teeth, etc., a dental treatment plan will be recommended.
Correct dental treatment and following the doctor's instructions can help you get rid of this problem and the consequences bruxism can have on your stomatognathic system.
Bibliography
Nutrition and Natural Remedies, Phyllis A. Balch