By: Jason Maxwell
Submitted: 2011-04-25 23:49:06 | Word Count: 464
Bruxism or teeth grinding is defined as the unconscious or conscious grinding, gnashing or clenching of teeth during sleep or even daytime. Teeth grinding, no matter how surprisingly common it is, can be such an embarrassing unconscious activity during sleep especially when you are sharing a room or bed with friends and colleagues. Many view this as an annoying sound that causes sleep and rest deprivation. Having enough rest and sleep is one of the physiologic needs that our body needs to be fulfilled with.
When we wake up feeling renewed and rested, we will be able to perform the different activities that loom ahead of us. Our body will surely speak the state that we are in through our moods, our stamina and endurance if we lack rest. Together with food, rest and sleep are essential for our normal physical and mental functioning. But with the constant teeth grinding of your roommate at night, you are deprived of one of the most basic indulgence in life.
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A person who teeth grinds is also annoyed because grinding the teeth does not only affect the teeth but also the surrounding structures like the jaw muscles, the gums, the head and eyes. Why do people grind their teeth. Some of the believed causes are stress, improper alignment of teeth, frustration, some diseases and its complications and even due to aggressive behavior. Stressful situations such as suppressed anger is unconsciously manifested and vented out during sleep through the grinding of teeth. Involuntary grinding of teeth occurs when improperly aligned teeth come in contact with each other causing discomfort. Debilitating diseases like Parkinsons disease causes movement disorders such as involuntary muscular rigidity and tremors producing muscular twitching such as teeth grinding.
No matter what the causes are, it is best that medical and dental consultation is sought. Diagnosis and treatment is hard when a person refuses to acknowledge the existence of the disorder so it is first and foremost that realization and acceptance happens before any treatment is started. Various medical, conservative and traditional remedies for teeth grinding have proved to be effective and are available in the market.
If teeth grinding is triggered by stress, psychological counseling, psychotherapy, biofeedback mechanism and the likes are applicable while dental remedies are available if the problem is caused by malocclusion. While treatment is going on, especially designed apparatus or gadgets such as dental mouth guard and biofeedback bands are effective to curtail the constant teeth grinding at night.
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However and whatever the remedies are, teeth grinding in sleep , no matter how mild it is that it does not need any special medical treatment , should never be taken for granted. Thus, it is best to seek professional help regarding cure for bruxism before prognosis becomes poor.
