Increasing cases of bruxism due to stress.

– Bruxism is more a symptom than a disease and reflects a State of major anxiety ”

Spain, March 2012.- aches from head to the awakening, damage to the jaw, ear pain, problems in alignment and poor condition of the teeth … are all consequences of bruxisma very common ailment and that in recent years it has spread among the adult population for reasons that have nothing to do with the own oral health.

Says Dr. Antoni Arcas, responsible for the service of maxillofacial surgery, implantology and aesthetic Facial USP Dexeus: causes of bruxism are many but in recent times have increased the cases caused by the way in which elderly people assimilate and exteriorizamos tension; i.e. stress that produces the situation of crisis, the loss of job or fear and insecurity about the current economic situation ”.

These patients come to the consultation with a number of typical symptoms: discomfort when trying to close the mouth, headaches, brands of teeth on the tongue and damage on the inside of the cheeks, bad breath or wear in the enamel (even, in more severe cases, some teeth, weakened, are loose and come to RID).

Cases of bruxism, in recent years, usually accompanied by insomnia problems: many patients suffer from insomnia Psychophysiological produced by anxiety ”. – points Dr. coffers. Stress during the day conditions overnight the emergence of nightmares, as well as own bruxism. Also find most patients start to have this kind of problem by the sudden change in habits due to loss of employment, which disrupts your sleep routine ”.

There are two major types of bruxism: the downtown, usually during the day, resulting in lower tooth wear but greater muscle involvement; and the eccentric, which occurs during the night and in which the person squeezes the teeth while he moves them, producing a great tooth wear.

For USP Dexeus maxillofacial surgery expert, the key lies in prevention to minimize their effects, which involves a proper diagnosis. If the patient suffers from bruxism during the day, it is important to teach the patient to their situation, their stress, it is doing him squeezing the teeth without realizing it. You must see it to go lose that habit that will end up causing him problems not only to his teeth ”. This type of treatment is called of autofeedback ”. In the case of nocturnal bruxism, recommends the use of splints for download. Is a rigid resin apparatus, perfectly adjusted to the teeth of the patient, which avoids wear of teeth and decreases muscle overload ”.

In more advanced States, may require of Arthroscopy to repair possible damage in the joint, and to a lesser extent, open surgery correction of disturbances of articulation as the pathology can be caused by multiple factors, is often recommended a multidisciplinary treatment composed of various professionals: dentist, orthodontist, physiotherapist, psychologist and maxillofacial surgeon will work in team and identify the treatment in each case.

For the treatment of bruxism, is important both multidisciplinary approach and educate the patient because bruxism is more a symptom than a disease, and reflects a State of major anxiety. In addition to splint therapy, the patient must be aware that he must change his habits and his style of life. ”