Occlusion is the branch of dental medicine that deals with the bite relationships between the dental arches and their implications with the adjacent structures (teeth, muscles, ligaments and temporomandibular joint).

Bruxism is a parafunctional habit that causes the patient to grind his or her teeth rhythmically during sleep or, less harmfully, during the day. It is observed in patients of all ages and may be related to stress and anxiety, or lack of rest. It occurs in about 15% of people. It can cause tooth wear and act as a factor in headaches and temporomandibular joint disorders.

The diagnosis is usually made after some complications arise, such as tooth wear, pain in the masticatory muscles, clicking in the joints, or locking of the temporomandibular joint, etc.

What is the treatment for bruxism?

Bruxism should be treated in a multidisciplinary manner: the important thing is to identify the cause of the problem and change habits that may be harming the situation, such as physical fatigue, stress, anxiety, etc.

The use of relaxation splints (protective devices) is the most common treatment, helping to prevent tooth wear. However, there are situations in which orthodontic treatment and/or oral rehabilitation may be necessary.

Currently, botulinum toxin, known as botox, is a safe way to treat bruxism. It helps to reduce pain caused by teeth clenching, relieving headaches and relaxing facial muscles.

What are the signs and symptoms of bruxism?

Wear and tear of the tooth structure is usually the initial symptom of bruxism. Another warning sign of the problem is complaints from family members who detect noises during the patient’s sleep, resulting from attrition.

When the presence of parafunction is accompanied by symptoms, pain can be felt in different structures, such as muscles, the temporomandibular joint or even the teeth themselves.

Headaches, muscle pain, fatigue and discomfort when chewing are other possible symptoms that indicate the presence of bruxism.

Can bruxism occur in children?

Teeth grinding in children is not usually as serious as it is in adults, and is actually a normal physiological situation. However, it is advisable to monitor the child to see if there is any abnormal wear, especially of the permanent teeth.