Teeth grinding, called bruxism, is the act of clenching the teeth, usually done at night while sleeping. It is done unconsciously, not known by the person [1].
Symptoms of bruxism
Symptoms of bruxism are [1];
* Pain in the facial muscles, jaw joints, head and neck region.
* Abrasions on the chewing surfaces of the teeth (in advanced teeth grinding).
* There is a decrease in the vertical dimension of the patient (the distance between the nose and the chin) due to abrasions on the teeth. This causes aesthetic problems and causes the patient to look older.
* There may be sensitivity and pain in the teeth due to abrasions.
* Teeth and fillings may break.
* Teeth may be wobbly and displaced.
* There may be pain in the jaw joint during opening and closing.
Treatment of Bruxism [1]
If the patient has stress, the causes of stress should be eliminated. If there are causes arising from the teeth, they should be treated and eliminated. If there are abrasions on the tooth, it should be treated. If there is a systemic disease, it should be treated.
Night Plaque (Night Guard)
If there is no improvement despite all these treatments, a
night guard (bite plaque) should be used. The night plaque is prepared by the dentist. It is a plaque that should be worn while sleeping at night. The purpose of the night plaque is to protect the teeth.
Night Plaque is a special oral plaque designed to protect the teeth from abrasions that may occur due to clenching and grinding of the jaws during sleep. Night guards are a type of mouth guard specially designed and prepared by the dentist. Night plaque is made according to the upper jaw for some people and for the lower jaw for some other people. This may vary according to the jaw anatomy. The size of the teeth is prepared on the model obtained by the dentist.
For this reason, it provides comfortable use and protection thanks to its compatibility with the teeth. Night guards can often reduce headache and jaw pain within a few days of use, depending on the severity of the condition. [3]
Who can use the Night Guard in which situations?
People who have abrasions on the tooth surfaces caused by grinding,
People who often have complaints such as headaches and jaw pain when they wake up,
People whose teeth are sensitive to temperature changes, especially cold,
When there is clenching and grinding during the day during stressful times,
while driving, at the computer It can be used when it is noticed that stress and tension increase while working.
[3]
Bruxism and Night Plaque Video
In the video below, bruxism and use of night plaque are shown.
REFERENCES
- Dt. Aysegul Ozturk, Lifelong Oral and Dental Health, Ema Medical Bookstore Publishing, 2021
- Other References
- (*) elitortodontilaboratuvar.com/gece-plagi-gece-plagi-nedir-gece-plagi-nasil-kullanilir
