Introduction
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is the unconscious pressing or grinding of the teeth of the upper and lower jaws together. The disease belongs to the group of parafunctions, which includes various forms of overstrain of teeth, jaw joints and the surrounding chewing muscles. Grinding usually occurs during the night while sleeping, but it can also occur during the day in more or less pronounced forms.
The causes are, besides considerable psychological and physical stress, an imbalance in the bite between the teeth of the upper and lower jaw (occlusion). If the occlusion is changed or disturbed by e.g. malformed teeth, teeth grinding can occur. The treatment is very complex and requires, in addition to dental treatment, the interaction of several medical disciplines, such as physiotherapy or psychotherapy.
Causes
The causes of teeth grinding are manifold. Besides a disturbed occlusion, strong psychological and physical stress, over the years incorrectly acquired movement patterns in the area of the jaws and jaw joints can also be considered as a cause. Often, however, the occurrence of teeth grinding is accompanied by strong mental and nervous stress.
These are processed by the brain during sleep and lead to the clenching of the upper and lower rows of teeth. Orthopedic problems, especially in the head, neck and spine area, can also lead to a faulty occlusion of the upper and lower teeth. This results in an increased, incorrect strain on the surrounding chewing muscles and jaw joints.
The psychological causes include: All these aspects are processed during the night while sleeping. Constant, extreme stimuli from the environment such as constant noise also lead to increased physical tension in the form of stress. During the day, strong pressure to perform at work, aggressive behavior, irregular or no breaks, constant deadline pressure can also be causes of teeth grinding
- Strong mental and emotional tensions,
- Private and professional stress,
- Depressions
- And anxiety.
Drugs, as well as the substances caffeine, nicotine or alcohol have a significant influence on our nerve functions.
The active ingredients of drugs can cause various processes in our body to become over- or under-functional. These physical changes can significantly influence the functions of our jaws and jaw joints. Therefore, the consumption of drugs can be considered a possible cause for the development of bruxism.