Bruxism is the clenching and grinding of teeth during the day, but especially at night during sleep, and it can be damaging to both your teeth and your jaw.
Clinical studies have shown that the forces generated by bruxism can be up to six times greater than the forces used when chewing food. Symptoms of bruxism include tooth wear or fractures, severe headaches, fatigue, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), sleep disturbances, ear pain or ringing, and pain in the face and neck.
The exact reasons why people grind or clench their teeth during sleep are not fully understood, but most cases are linked to stress or anxiety, whether emotional or physical. Additionally, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and high caffeine intake have been associated with bruxism.
Genetics may also play a role.
Δεν υπάρχει πλήρη θεραπεία του βρυγμού, αλλά ένας από τους τρόπους με τους οποίους While there is no complete cure for bruxism, one effective way to manage it and relieve severe symptoms, as well as prevent further tooth damage, is by using a bruxism splint.
The splint is made from rigid acrylic resin, customized to the anatomy of your mouth, and is placed on the upper or lower jaw (usually the upper), covering most of the teeth. The splint stabilizes your bite, prevents tooth wear by creating a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, relieves stress on the temporomandibular joints, and relaxes the jaw muscles that are overworked during bruxism.
It is common for patients to feel slightly uncomfortable during the first nights of wearing the splint. We recommend starting with one or two hours during the day to gradually get used to it. Results are usually visible quickly, including relief from joint and tooth pain and improved sleep quality. Patients with severe bruxism may benefit even more when splint therapy is combined with physical therapy or head and neck massages, providing faster relief from pain and other related symptoms.