Many people are not familiar with the term “bruxism,” unless they are suffering from the problem. Bruxism can be defined as grinding, clenching, or gnashing of teeth. It is unfortunate that a lot of people suffer from this problem without even knowing it. This is because most people grind their teeth while sleeping. This is known as sleep bruxism.

It is vital to know the effects of bruxism and how it can affect your oral health. Although there is no real cure, products such as Ora Guard dental guard can help treat and lessen bruxism. Moreover, there are methods of preventing this condition.

What is Bruxism?

Ideally, bruxism is a term used to encompass different behaviors such as gnashing of teeth, clenching of teeth, grinding of teeth, and gritting of teeth. Teeth grinding may be as a result of an abnormal bite, crooked teeth, or high stress. The cheek muscle that helps you to chew is a powerful muscle. It is said that it can exert over 600 pounds of force on the molars of your mouth.

Bruxism Statistics

You may be surprised to learn that bruxism is a common condition. However, it is not yet clear how many persons are bruxers. Scientifically, a third of the people suffer from this condition. You should note that the severity of the condition differs a lot. For instance, you can find people suffering from outright smashing and others suffering from infrequent clenching. About 20% of the sufferers ought to undergo reconstructive surgery.

Is it Harmful?

The truth is that bruxism can have serious health effects. For instance, it can result in loss of teeth, receding gums, aching jaws, fracturing teeth, tooth pain, and recurring headaches. Recent studies have attributed sleep bruxism to certain behaviors such as sleep apnea. This is a chronic disorder that disrupts sleep by shallow breaths or pauses in breathing. Since the problem happens while a person is sleeping, many people are not aware of this problem.

What Causes Teeth Grinding?

There are various physical and mental causes of teeth grinding. Some people can even develop this condition at the age of 40. Usually, children with this problem can outgrow it. If you suffer from anxiety and stress, you can develop repetitive, nervous conditions that relieve their stress on your teeth. This also explains why some people tank on their hair or bite their nails.…