Grinding
of teeth is an oral condition characterized by tightly
clenching the upper and lower teeth in a tight hold and
forcefully moving the teeth in a forward and backward
motion while in the tight clench. This type of motion is
often carried out at night during the sleep times and in
a lot of cases, a person might not be aware of the
presence of this potentially damaging condition. Teeth
grinding is also a habit that is present in a diurnal
form that is manifested as night time as well as day
time ‘habit’ of grinding teeth.
Causes of
teeth grinding
The causes
of teeth grinding are considered to be multifactorial
and there can be many triggers that can contribute
(singly or in combination) to the occurrence of teeth
grinding. Some of the more commonly accepted factors
that contribute to the habit of teeth grinding are
–
- Stress
and anxiety (acknowledged as a prime
factor)
- Mal
alignment of teeth (or dental occlusal
factors)
- Jaw
joint disorder
- Nerve
disorder
- Abdominal
disorder
- Allergies
to food or other substances
- Ear
infections
- Inflammations
in the head and neck regions
- Injury
to head
- Side
effects or interactions of
drugs
The
outcome of teeth grinding
Teeth
grinding exists commonly in the form of an innocuous
habit that is outgrown with age and time. However, in
many cases especially where there is a clinical basis
for the existence of the teeth grinding condition (known
medically as Bruxism) can rapidly progress into a
chronic condition.
Chronic
conditions of teeth grinding can cause severe damage if
left unattended. Some of the most common damage caused
by teeth grinding are –
- Intense
wear and tear of teeth,
- Cracks
and fractures on teeth,
- Loosening
of teeth or (in severe cases teeth fall off),
- Jaw
joint disorder,
- Problems
of the upper spinal column,
- Insomnia,
- Depression
resulting from sleep deprivation,
- Headaches
and facial pain etc.
Prevention
of teeth grinding
While
chronic cases of teeth grinding requires some immediate
managing or coping techniques after consultations with a
specialist, there are other natural ways to prevent and
minimize the damage that teeth grinding can
cause.
These
include holistic methods of healing the body and
undertaking self help steps to deal with Bruxism through
corrective exercises, stress reduction, dietary
corrections and life style changes to maximize fitness
of health and immunity levels. Keep in mind though, that
it is essential to undergo an examination to identify
the root cause of grinding teeth.
