Propranolol
is a medication that has been used to regulate the
masseter muscle (responsible for movements of the jaw
muscle during chewing) activity on patients who exhibit
symptoms of heavy sleep time Bruxism. Recent studies
have however found that administration of this drug does
not have much of a positive effect when used in the
treatment of Bruxism. Indeed, some studies have
suggested quite the opposite – that it is suspected that
the drug propranolol causing Bruxism cannot be ruled
out.
What is
Bruxism?
Bruxism is
an oral condition that involves teeth grinding and
clenching. This condition exists in the form of a habit
that differs widely in its severity and the
consequential damage it incurs. Bruxism is often
associated with stress related factors (and several
other pathological causes). It is a multifactorial
condition and a cure is not easily found through the
regular course of a physician’s
prescription.
The use of
propranolol
The use of
the drug propranolol is not primarily for Bruxism.
Propranolol based drugs have been primarily used as anti
depressants. This medication has been used
simultaneously and commonly as a means to deal with
Bruxism (although not indicated for treatment of
Bruxism), probably because Bruxism as a condition does
not have a clear cut solution in the form a single
medication that can be used as a treatment. This leaves
the way wide open for physicians to prescribe other
drugs and methods that can bring relief to some of the
symptoms of Bruxism (in some cases, especially those
triggered by anxiety factors).
The use of
propranolol has been seen to lead to some forms of side
effects in some instances. Bruxism caused by the use of
propranolol is a potential side effect that a user needs
to be aware of. Although the use of propranolol has been
used to relieve the teeth grinding motions by initiating
relaxation of the facial muscles, on the other hand some
research has shown that accumulation of propranolol in
certain tissues can have possible consequences that are
contrary to the intension of the drug
use.
In cases
where the use of propranolol is suspected to have caused
or increased the symptoms of Bruxism, immediate
discontinuation of the drug is recommended after
consultation with the physician /
specialist.
Treatment
of Bruxism requires a holistic and multi disciplinary
approach based on several corrective measures that can
be commence at the individual level after verifying the
root causes of the problem.
