by Effie Moore Salem

Created on: July 21, 2007   Last Updated: February 03, 2012

Bruxism is grinding of the teeth. Those who grind their teeth are not aware of doing so, since this is most often done during sleep. Dentist will most often point this out to their patients. Treatments for  grinding of the teeth are known and are not always effective, but they do exist. Children most always outgrow this since it usually happens in young children whose teeth are not fully formed. As their teeth grow and become better aligned, they no longer grind or clench their teeth.

In this young group, teeth grinding happens during the day or at night. For adults, the condition is more serious and may need intervention by professionals. And again this depends on the severity of the condition and what adverse effects it has on their overall health, theirs and their partners.

Choices of treatment vary and they depend on the what supposedly is the cause. If it is related to stress, stress management is available through counseling sessions. In most larger communities it should not be hard to find such a group. Your dentist, in fact, may know of some. If not ask around or call mental health clinics. According to an on-line site many of the usual treatments for grinding of the teeth are ineffectual and is not recommended.

Splints are often the best option. These come in several different varieties and are known by various names: "nightguards, biteguards, occlusal splints, biteplates, removable appliances, or interocclusal orthopedic appliances." These and other options are only treatments as they do not cure the condition.

Although there are many probable explanations, for grinding one's teeth while sleeping,  many believe that the condition is hereditary and at best can only be controlled. A great portion of the population, about twenty percent grind their teeth at some times in their lives. And against what most people believe, grinding of the teeth does not grind the teeth down. At its worse, it is annoying to those who lives in close association with the afflicted.

The damaging effect is a controversial one. Even in some cases the damage to teeth and gums can be seen. If the treatment is for older children, or children who are showing damage to mouth and teeth by this clenching and grinding of teeth, there are mouth guards available. These can be purchased over-the counter and while less effective than those supplied and made to fit mouth sizes, they are less expensive.

Sometimes simply stopping some other medication or leaving off caffeine and alcohol will effect a cure. Of course, to stop the medication especially if it is one needed for effectively relieving symptoms of another far worse condition possibly is not to be done except on the advice and consent of the physician prescribing it. Leaving off stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol can be safely done and would be a good first try at treating this annoyance.

Once thought to be nearly always associated with some type of stress, this too is debatable. Most likely it has a lot to do with the alignment of the teeth and the relaxation of the muscles of the jaw when the person is asleep. Whether this is more normal like or whether this is a way of relieving some kind of masked daytime tension is not know. All most can do is to speculate and to seek some kind of relief it the condition become near unbearable. Although, that too, has been tried and as has been shown by some professionals to be of little use, many dentists and orthodontist refuse to give up so easily. They claim many cures. To learn more.

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