Bruxism Splints
Bruxism or teeth grinding is a condition affecting adults as well as children. In the United States, an estimated 30 to 40 million people suffer from bruxism.
Some people grind their teeth only during sleep; this condition is called "nocturnal bruxism" or "sleep-related bruxism." Others grind their teeth during the daytime as well, most often during situations that make them feel tense or anxious. Overall, 5 percent to 10 percent of Americans have bruxism that is severe enough to fracture dental fillings or cause other types of tooth damage. Severe bruxism has also been blamed for some cases of temporomandibular joint dysfunction, mysterious morning headaches and unexplained facial pain.
Bruxism can
have a variety of psychological and physical causes. In many cases,
it has been linked to stress, but it can also simply be the body's
reaction to poor alignment or occlusion of the teeth (the way the teeth
come together). Bruxism can sometimes occur as a complication of severe
brain injury, or as a symptom of certain rare neuromuscular diseases
involving the face. Bruxism can also be an uncommon side effect of
some psychiatric medications, including antidepressant medications
known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
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