When is Bruxism Bad?

Discussion Bruxism “is a masticatory muscle activity that may occur during sleep ([sleep bruxism, SB] characterized as rhythmic or non-rhythmic) and/or wakefulness ([awake bruxism, AB] characterized as repetitive or sustained tooth contact and/or by bracing or thrusting the mandible.)” Bruxism was first described in 1907. Bruxism studies are quite variable in their results given the lack of standardized diagnostic methods. Patients or family members will often report tooth grinding noises, and on physical examination there will be abnormal tooth wear, tooth mobility, hypertrophy of the masseter muscles and other problems such as fatigue, pain or discomfort in the mouth/jaw and/or headache. Tooth grinding noises by themselves is not necessarily a problem. Usually minimal criteria for SB include “…tooth grinding or clenching while asleep and one or more of the following: abnormally worn teeth, bruxism-related sounds, and mandible muscle discomfort.” Prevalence in adults for AB = 22-30%, SB = 1-15%, and in the pediatric population is 3-49%. Peak age is 10-14 years. Factors that seem to be associated with SB include second-hand smoke, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol use, gastroesophageal acidification and some psychotropic medications (including serotonin reupdate inhibitors, antipsychotics, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, amphetamines, and Ecstasy). Bruxism can also be considered a sleep-related movement disorder and can be associated with sleep d...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news