Bruxism Cures

Bruxism, from the Greek ???????, is a condition wherein an individual grinds, gnashes, or clenches their teeth. It generally occurs at night and is a common type of parasomnia (a disruptive event during sleep). While there is no cure, there are a variety of methods used to treat bruxism, ranging from behavior therapy to medication.

Therapy

• For adults, a major cause of bruxism is stress. In this case, counseling is suggested, as is relaxation-promoting strategies such as meditation, yoga, or basic exercise.

  For children, a major cause of bruxism is fear, often brought about before sleep. MayoClinic.com suggests discussing the fears with the child, or employing a variety of stress-reduction factors such as a warm bath or reading to them before bedtime.

Dental Help

• One of the primary methods of dental treatment is the use of a mouth guard, either over-the-counter or custom made by a dentist. The biggest problem with mouth cards is their tendency to dislodge and fall out during grinding, and they can be rather uncomfortable.

  If this doesn't work a splint might help. A dental splint consists of hard acrylic that fits over the upper and lower teeth, and may be made right in the dentists office.

  Sholud bruxism cause wear and tear on the patients teeth, corrective surgery involving either the use of overlays or crowns may help prevent this; however, it will not stop the bruxism.

Behavior Therapy

• There are two types of behavior therapy that can be employed in the treatment of bruxism. The first consists of a conscious attempt at not grinding ones teeth, usually by practicing proper mouth and jaw position. MayoClinic.com suggests focusing on resting the tongue upward with the teeth apart and the lips closed, which would keep the teeth from grinding and the jaw from clenching.

  Another more serious and involved method of behavior modification is biofeedback, wherein sensors are applied to the body that measure the body's physical response to stress. The information is then given to the patient in the form of auditory or visual cues. This can be accomplished in a doctor's office, though portable biofeedback devices that can be taken at home are far more convenient.

Capsules

• One treatment, considered relatively new and controversial, involves the placing of liquid-filled capsules between the teeth. If bruxism occurs, the capsules are broken, releasing a foul tasting liquid into the mouth of the sufferer, allowing him to wake up and realize what's going on.

Medication

• Medication is not generally considered an effective treatment against bruxism. If the burxism is caused as a side effect, your doctor might suggest an alternative medication or prescribe an alternative medication that might counteract the bruxism. At times a muscle relaxant might help if taken just before bedtime.