Have you been experiencing discomfort in your facial muscles throughout the day? This can be an indication that you are suffering from daytime bruxism. It is known as a disorder in which the person develops the habit of clenching or grinding teeth during the day.
Bruxism affects children and adolescents in the phase of bone and dental formation, which ranges from 2 to 12 years old. In adults, the problem can have several causes, such as psychological and emotional disorders (stress, tension, and anxiety attacks) and neurological disorders (autism and paralysis) (1).
Bruxism does not cause serious complications, but it can damage teeth and cause you other severe problems. Want to know more? In this post, we tell you the most common symptoms of daytime bruxism and how to treat it. Read on!
Symptoms of daytime bruxism
1. Dental wear
Because of the intense friction that occurs between the teeth, there are high chances that they will be damaged in different ways. In the beginning, for example, you may notice that the tooth enamel wears off, changing the tooth color. It is also possible that a tooth starts to hurt in a strange way.
2. Headache
Headache is one of the most common symptoms among those who suffer from daytime bruxism. In most cases, this discomfort makes it difficult for you to concentrate on carrying out your daily activities. The headache is caused by frequent contraction of muscles of the temples, masseter, and cervical region
3. Bleeding gums
As already stated, bruxism can wear and break your teeth, causing bleeding gums. When faced with this symptom, many people are frightened and soon see a doctor, fearing that they are suffering from a more serious illness. However, this is one of the symptoms of daytime bruxism.
4. Stress
In this circumstance, it is an opposite ’cause and effect’ relationship. Basically, it is important to understand that it is not because an individual has bruxism that he is stressed, but the opposite, at least, in most cases. The development of bruxism may be the way some people deal with nervousness and stress.
Surely, you have already realized that when you get nervous or angry, one of the first things you do is to close your jaws, almost as an immediate reflex. Therefore, if you are experiencing complicated moments within your family, at work, or are a naturally more nervous person, it may be that stress manifests itself through bruxism.
Ways to fight daytime bruxism
1. Practice self-observation
As bruxism is closely linked to concentration and stress, we recommend that you make a self-observation during your professional activity and in other daily activities, such as driving, reading, watching television, or typing on your cell phone. Note that during these times, you’re likely:
· Clenching your teeth
· Biting your nails, chewing gum, or nibbling on objects with your mouth
· Peeling off the skin on the lip or nibbles on the cheek
All of these habits can be considered risk factors for triggering and maintaining pain in the head, face, neck, shoulders, and back. That is, they are signs of daytime bruxism and indicate the need to seek a specialist for treatment.
2. Keep up with sleep hygiene
Poor sleep quality is one of the risk factors for increased tension, anxiety, and stress. Thus, it is recommended to ensure a good night’s rest, including certain habits in the routine, such as:
· Dinner with lighter foods (avoiding excess fats, fried foods, and proteins)
· Do not lie down immediately after eating (wait at least 3 hours)
· Sleep on your side
· Avoiding any screen brightness before sleeping
· Sleep in a dark and quiet place
3. Avoid self-medication and abuse of medicines
The abuse of painkillers, in addition to causing disorders in various organs (kidney, liver, stomach), can trigger headaches. It is the well-known rebound effect. Self-medication can often hide a more serious problem, and treatment may not be effective for the condition in question. It is also important to note that, to date, there are no drugs to control daytime bruxism.
4. Be careful with “miracle” treatments
Whether out of desperation or lack of information, many people end up indulging in treatments that have not been scientifically proven to improve the problem. As a result, there is an incalculable biological and financial expense, in addition to causing the “chronification” of the condition, making it even more difficult to resolve. Therefore, always look for a qualified professional.
5. Bet on physical therapies
Physiotherapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, and other physical therapies can be very useful in the treatment of patients with daytime bruxism. In addition to promoting well-being, these techniques can bring relief to the symptoms caused by the problem through muscle relaxation and mental relaxation.
What are the treatments for daytime bruxism?
Treatment for daytime bruxism varies according to each patient’s situation and characteristics, given that its causes are diverse. To obtain an efficient improvement, it is essential that the root of the problem is treated. Taking this into account, it is recommended to follow up with a dentist specialized in orofacial pain. He will be responsible for assessing the causes of your bruxism and for defining the best treatment.
After the diagnosis and the clinical evaluation of a specialized dentist, the indicated treatments can be different and include the use of acrylic plates, contributing to an adequate chewing activity.
Another common option is the prescription of medications (such as muscle relaxants) that help you relax the jaw area. In addition, therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, and regular physical exercise increase your quality of life, thus reducing stress and the symptom of bruxism. However, note that the use of the medicine is not enough, since they only hide the symptoms. It is important to adopt methods capable of reversing the condition.
There is still treatment with the application of botox. This is used to control bruxism only in cases of patients with a neurological disorder, such as cerebral palsy, and should not be indicated in other cases.
Conclusion
As you have seen, daytime bruxism can arise from an early age as a result of emotional problems and even as a reaction to times of stress. What seems harmless can get worse and compromise the performance of your daily activities. Therefore, if you have this habit, seek appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
