Both upper and lower arch teeth are not intended to come together unless we are chewing or biting foods. Clenching the teeth and grinding habits are unnatural and may trigger severe jaw joint deterioration in addition to the wearing down and fracturing of the tooth's protective enamel.
The truth of it all is that everybody has a tendency to gnash their teeth once and awhile, while we are apprehensive or incensed, or when our sleep patterns are prevented or disturbed. Except for the occasions where patients grind their teeth on a continual basis, we have a condition known as bruxism.
Bruxism affects an estimated twenty percent of the populace during waking hours and nearly eight percent during the hours of sleep, and can have unfavourable effects on the gums, jaw joints, bone and tooth enamel of the teeth.
Grinding the teeth is when the jaws travel in lateral actions while the teeth are barely adjoining and clenching happens when the teeth of both arches fasten together. These reflexes had been once thought to be brought on by a bad bite (malocclusion). Nevertheless, studies have concluded that malocclusion and sleep troubles mutually rate lower than ramifications of tension and nervousness as being the principal source of teeth clenching and grinding.
The Ramifications of Bruxism
Often, the situations of brusism can commence in the early phases of life while our teeth are still emerging and developing. Studies insinuates that just about fifteen percent of kids grind or clasp their teeth. In the end this condition will cease as children arrive at their teenage years or early adulthood. Still the deterioration done to the teeth may get extensive in a short time period.
Despite the fact that tooth enamel that is subject to ordinary wear can degrade down at a pace of .3 millimeters over a ten year period, it is not unusual for patients affliction with bruxism to observe twice as much enamel attrition over the equivalent period of time. What's more, nighttime bruxers may encounter upwards of 40 minutes per hour of sleep, producing nearly 250 psi of force. That force is an adequate amount of pressure to crack a walnut.
Grinding the Teeth
Of the two bruxism reflexes, grinding is significantly more common throughout sleep and can arise equally amongst both women and men. While in a sleep state the brain goes into a semi-resting state but is still alert enough to be awakened by noises of barking and sirens. This is known as a "disturbance reflex" that can become amplified in people who have limited airways, causing breathing disturbances while asleep.
While responding to sleep instabilities, the human brain will yield sudden decisions as to whether these sounds are purely standard, in which instance permitting the body to remain asleep (allowing the body to stay asleep), or vital enough to wake-up to. It is at the split second of stimulation from the sleep state that bruxing takes place.
Grinding of the teeth can be exacerbated by use of medicines among people being treated for neurological issues and amongst recreational drug users. Particular drugs like cocaine and ecstasy as well as prescription medicines stimulate the brain to an great extent, which is believed to promote grinding of the teeth.
Teeth clenching
The condition of teeth clenching is more likely to transpire during hours the body is conscious, and influences females at a higher rate then males. One of the theories suggests that females happen to be more alert to sounds and subtle noises such as a baby crying. This unique awareness can result in more opportunities for jaw clenching.
The Consequences of Bruxism
Over time, the toll of accumulated bruxing can churn out a eclectic range of damage that involves: front teeth being worn down so they are flat and even in length, micro-breaks in the teeth and damaged fillings, likely nerve impairments, teeth ground down to the dentin (loss of enamel), increased response to hot and cold stimuli, gum recession due to vast pressures, rocking of the teeth may bring about loose teeth, gum pockets produced by back-and-forth actions, as well as throbbing jaws and severe headaches due to the jaw muscles being overused.
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Dr. Don Utas received his Dental degree from the University of Saskatchewan 18 years ago and bought Meadowbrook Dental in Chilliwack a year later. As a lifelong learner, he has earned a Diploma of Technology at BCIT and a Bachelor of Education at Simon Fraser University and worked as a Park Ranger and a high school teacher before devoting his life to helping people through dentistry.
