Have you been woken up in the middle of the night because of loud grinding noise? Sometimes this grinding noise can be coming from a person who is asleep in the same room with you but sometimes the noise can be coming from you.
Bruxism or night grinding is a parafunctional activity that can be experienced in the day and at night, during short naps or long night-time sleep. It is a sleep disorder that involves the hard clenching of the jaw and the grinding of the teeth, so patients that suffer from bruxism often have teeth surfaces that are significanly worn down.
The degree of destruction caused by the poor habit vary greatly per patient. While it cannot really be determined what really causes the condition, the following are some theories and speculations:
1. While there really is no definite cause, many believe that teeth grinding is hereditary. Therefore, a child who is reported to be grinding his teeth at night, will have one or both of his parents enjoying the same nocturnal activity.
2. The brain and the nervous system have a very advanced method of relaying messages to each other. Once a stimulus is perceived, the nerves send the message to the brain, to bring forth a response. This response that is orchestrated by the brain can either be carried out by the conscious or the subconscious state of the brain. Chewing and clenching can either be conscious or subconscious. When food is brought into the mouth, the jaws will begin to work and the action is observed. When a person is asleep and during waking hours when a person is distracted, some unconscious habits may come forth, such as bruxism.
3. In some cases it has been found that bruxism developed as a result of taking certain medications. People who are being treated for anxiety, hypermyptonia and various digestive problems present varying levels of bruxism signs and symptoms due to stimulants and amphetamine in the drug composition.
As with most conditions, finding the cause is going to be pertinent to finding the cure. When you know the what is causing the symptom, your dentist has a better opportunity to help you find relief.
source: http://www.teethcenter.com/what-causes-teeth-grinding/
by Teeth Center Staff
http://www.smilesbydesigninlivermore.com
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