Cases of this condition, which involves unconsciously grinding, clenching, or gnashing teeth, have multiplied due to increased stress and anxiety in the population.
Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed that some of your teeth are crushed or fractured? Have you noticed wear on the natural enamel that covers some of your teeth? Do you experience increased tooth sensitivity or pain after brushing, eating, or drinking?
These are some of the symptoms, mostly located in the mouth and head, that indicate you may be experiencing an oral condition called bruxism.
Feeling tired or stiff jaw muscles, having difficulty opening or closing the mouth completely, feeling pain in the jaw, neck, head, face, or cervical area, or pain or noise in the ear, as well as suffering from sleep disturbances, are other signs or warning signs of this disorder, the incidence of which has been increasing since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bruxism is a condition that involves grinding, clenching, or crunching the teeth forcefully, unconsciously, and without functional purpose, explains the Multidisciplinary Center for Advanced Dentistry, Dental Studio, DS.
They explain that this condition “can cause wear on tooth enamel, pain in the jaw, teeth, and head, as well as alterations in the temporomandibular joint, which is what allows us to speak, chew, and yawn.”
Although it is not considered a pathology but rather a disorder, its specific symptoms can end up causing pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and alter the patient’s daily activities, which can lead to a disabling situation, explains to EFE Dr. Julio Martín, a stomatologist and medical director of DS.
Dr. Martín, a member of prestigious scientific societies and a pioneer in introducing aesthetic dental and implantology techniques in Spain, has completed internships in some of the main clinics in America, in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Florida (United States) and Buenos Aires (Argentina).
According to DS, according to the ‘White Paper 2023’ of the General Council of Dentists and the Spanish Dental Foundation, cases of bruxism have quadrupled in Spain, possibly due to stress and anxiety caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
A GROWING PROBLEM
In 2019, the year before the pandemic, 6% of people surveyed reported having bruxism, while in 2023 this problem has become present in 23% of people, affecting women to a greater extent, according to this same study.
This situation of an increase in cases of bruxism could surely be extrapolated, with similar percentages, to other countries, given the impact of the pandemic on a global scale. In other words, what has been observed in Spain could reflect what is happening in other parts of the world, for example, in America, according to DS.
Dr. Martin points out that bruxism is classified as nocturnal, when it occurs at night, during sleeping hours and the patient is generally not aware of the problem, or diurnal, when it occurs during the day, during waking hours, generally unconsciously, but associated with periods of work or personal stress.
Bruxism can also be classified as centric and eccentric, depending on where the clenching or grinding occurs in the teeth, he says.
Treatment for bruxism aims to reduce pain, prevent permanent dental damage, and reduce teeth grinding as much as possible, adapting to the individual needs, history, and idiosyncrasies of each patient, he adds, describing three effective solutions for this condition.
DOWNLOAD SPLINT OR RELAXATION PLATE.
It is important to perform a digital scan of the patient and evaluate their occlusion, to control the appropriate thickness and retention parameters of the splint, before manufacturing this dental device, as well as to check it in successive dental check-ups, generally every six months, explains Dr. Martín.
It is usually placed on the upper teeth and acts as a barrier to prevent direct contact between the upper and lower teeth, reducing tension in the jaw muscles, and also helping to protect the teeth from wear due to bruxism, he notes.
“It is usually worn overnight and should be cleaned daily with a toothbrush and warm water,” she advises.
ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND ‘TENS’ DEVICES.
Dr. Martin explains that electromyography (analysis of electrical activity in the muscles) and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) are used to evaluate and treat this condition.
These techniques involve the use of electrodes that adhere to the skin of the cheeks, in front of the auricle, and allow the measurement of jaw muscle activity during bruxism.
This treatment also uses an electrostimulation device to relax the jaw muscle and reduce joint and muscle tension and pain, thereby deprogramming the opening and closing of the jaw and increasing masticatory strength.
CORRECTIVE ORTHODONTICS
Sometimes bruxism can be caused by misalignment of a person’s teeth, and therefore, in these particular cases, tooth wear can be prevented using appropriate orthodontics, according to DS.
Traditionally, deviations in the position of teeth, crowding, or spaces between teeth are corrected using metal ‘brackets’, a set of pieces joined by an arch that adhere to the front of the teeth, but which, according to this clinic, can be uncomfortable and unsightly.
One of the most advanced techniques for correcting misaligned teeth is “invisible orthodontics,” which uses clear aligners that can be removed during meals and to brush teeth and then easily replaced, according to Dental Studio.
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