What should you know about Bruxism?

In medical language if a person grinds teeth while asleep, the condition is known as Bruxism. Nowadays, this oral parafunctional habit has been affecting a large number of people. While suffering from this problem a patient tends to clench the jaw. Bruxism comes into existence when reflex chewing activity comes as an involuntary action.

It is not supposed to be a learned habit. As a matter of fact, chewing comes under the complex neuromuscular activity which is basically controlled and managed by the reflex nerve pathways. While suffering from Bruxism, the unconscious reflexes become active while the higher control becomes inactive. In most people, Bruxism is not supposed to be a cause of health problem. However, sometimes the sufferer of Bruxism can have other associated or symptomatic problems.

Generally Bruxism occurs during sleep. It can also occur during a short nap. There are nearly a group of 30 to 40 million people in America who grind their teeth during sleep. This makes it the most common of sleep disorders all over the world. The main problem with that is that the people who suffer this disorder are not usually aware of the condition. These people tend to think about a cure only when some other complication occurs. If you want to avoid those complications you should know about the symptoms and causes that are responsible for Bruxism.

There are many symptoms that can be noticed while suffering from Bruxism. Examples of symptoms are earache, chronic facial pain, jaw pain, teeth grinding, a dull headache, and increased and gum tooth sensitivity. Teeth grinding disorder will stain and wear down your teeth and is a nuisance to the person sleeping beside you.

There are many general human problems which can cause Bruxism such as anxiety, aggression, frustration or dental problems. Some times it is also occurred due to the adverse effect of psychiatric medications.

In children sleep Bruxism is found during the growth period. When a baby's bottom and top teeth are not in an uncomfortable state, the baby may suffer from  Bruxism, according to some experts. While other experts consider it a problem that arises on account of  allergic reactions, tension, anger, a pain that is a result of teething or earache. The children who fall between the age group of 5 to 6 years  suffer from this disorder. Mostly children who have severe mental problems become suffer from this disorder.

Since Bruxism is not purely a dental problem, you may want to visit your family physician in case you or someone you know suffers from this problem.