Sleep clinics explains bruxism as a sleep disorder when you grind your teeth while sleeping or you can unconsciously do that even when you are awake. It doesn’t require much attention if it is mild but it really needs to be checked if it is severe and frequent.
Things to learn about sleep disorders
In fact, if you ignore it for longer time then it might lead to other medical issues making the situation more complicated. Most commonly, you develop dental complications with headaches and anxiety if not considered bruxism as a disorder that needs to be taken care of properly. For that, sleep centers have shared some really common symptoms and causes of Bruxism to spread awareness among people so they can seek consultation at right time instead of just ignoring the facts. Let’s discuss them one by one to know more in detail.
Symptoms of sleep disorders
- Teeth grinding in louder volumes which also disturbs other people sleeping in your room.
- Pain in jaw muscles – feeling them to be tired and tight every time
- Mouth, neck and facial pain
- Headaches
- Sleep disruption
- Pain and sensitivity in teeth – increasing with time
- Ear ache – just an uncomforted feeling in your ear while it has nothing to do with your ear
- Worn out of tooth enamel by exposing deeper layers of your teeth
- Fractured teeth which looks flattened and chipped
- Locked jaw or limited jaw movement
- Sore gums and jaws
- Pain in cheeks area by chewing anything
If you experience any of the above symptoms, then immediately visit your nearest sleep clinic and seek advice from your doctor if you need some care and precautions or you need proper treatment. Also, you show know that the rate of this disorder is found to be more in children and it may start as soon as the children pop out their teeth for the first time. However, some adults may also have this disorder while most of them claims to have it continued since their childhood days.
Causes of Bruxism
Though the real cause of bruxism is still unknown but the studies are still going on in sleep centers to reach the root cause. Usually it is said to be caused by some associated factors like psychological, physical or may be genetic issues. If you are experiencing it while you are awake, then it is probably due to anger or anxiety issues while if it is happening during sleep then it could be associated with be some other sleep disorder. However, below are some common causes which might lead to this terrible disorder of bruxism.
- Stress and Anxiety
Any state of such emotional trauma may lead to teeth grinding situation, i.e. stress, anxiety, worry, anger, frustration and so on. Though everyone experiences these emotional states but some people take it more seriously which ultimately affects their health and sleep disorder.
- Aggressive Personality
If you have aggressive personality, then it is very much possible to develop bruxism. Studies done in sleep clinics shows that the aggression and hyperactive nature are key factors to develop this disorder.
- Family History
If you have a family history of bruxism to occur during night time, then there is a risk for you as well to develop the disorder.
- Medication
You may also get it as a side effect of some other medicines that you are taking for any other treatment. Most commonly, medicines used for psychiatric issues tend to have side effects of causing bruxism while anti-depressants and recreational drugs are also having this side effects.
- Alcohol or Caffeine Intake
Consuming alcohol or caffeinated beverages before going to sleep also increase the risk of causing bruxism. That is why every doctor strictly forbid to consume alcohol especially during night time.
- Smoking Tobacco
It is same like consuming alcohol before sleeping, smoking tobacco does the same job if you do that before sleeping. It is strictly advised not to practice these things at least three hours before sleeping.
- Hallucinations
If you experience this state of mind or any of such psychological problems, then the chances for developing bruxism are very high.
- Other Sleep Disorders
Sleep centers md claims to develop high chances of bruxism if you are having any other sleep disorders due to the association between them.