fbpx

Remedies for bruxism, causes and treatments for worn down teeth.

Bruxism, causes and remedies - Emanuele Cicero dentist in Rome

Remedies for bruxism, causes and treatments for worn down teeth.

In recent years, more and more people have begun to suffer from bruxism. What are the causes of this disorder? How can the problem be solved? Read on to learn more! What are the causes of worn down teeth ? How to solve the problem? Read on to learn more!

What are the causes of worn down teeth?

There are several causes that can lead to tooth wear, but let’s see what they are.

First of all there’s dental erosion. Triggered by the action of acidic substances on the teeth, dental erosion can be the result of a constant intake of acidic drinks and foods (lemons, oranges or fruit juices) or the presence of pathologies that involve transfer of hydrochloric acid from the stomach to the mouth, such as gastroesophageal reflux or eating disorders like bulimia. The most visible consequence is wear of dental enamel.

Another reason why teeth wear out is manual abrasion. Due to too intense dental brushing, with excessively hard bristles or with an extremely abrasive toothpaste, this practice often involves serious risks for the health of our mouth.

Another cause may instead be triggered by habits of which we are unaware: bruxism, or the habit of clenching or grinding teeth during sleep and during the day.

Definitions of the aetiological factors in tooth surface loss

Attrition: loss by wear of tooth substance or a restoration caused by mastication or contact between occluding or proximal surfaces.

Erosion: The progressive loss of hard dental tissues by chemical process not involving chemical action.

Abrasion: The loss by wear of tooth substance or a restoration caused by factors other than tooth contact. Associated with non dental objects (ex. vigorous tooth brushing).

Abfraction: The pathological loss of hard tooth substance caused by biomechanical loading forces. It is thought to be due to flexure and ultimate fatigue of enamel and/or dentine at some location distant from the actual point of loading.

How to recognize worn teeth

The first alarm bell in recognizing worn down teeth should ring when there is a significant increase in sensitivity to heat and cold, with a sensation of slight discomfort or tooth pain.

But can a worned down tooth be recognized from the outside? Of course you can. One can notice a decrease of the tooth length, in addition to the inevitable yellow color which is typical when dentine is exposed.

bruxism treatments

What is Bruxism?

We mentioned it before but let’s see in detail what we are talking about when we name Bruxism.

Bruxism is a disorder that doesn’t have a clear origin. Its origin is multifactorial and it leads patients to compulsively and involuntarily grind their teeth by rubbing the two dental arches together or by clenching the jaws with excessive force.

Mainly this activity occurs during sleep but, during times of greater stress, it can occur unconsciously also during the day.
Some studies carried out on bruxism have brought to light several of what can be the triggering causes, such as: anxiety, stress and emotional problems. Not only that, it seems that some “bad habits” can also negatively affect bruxism and trigger it, including: smoking, alcohol, caffeine and drugs.

Often this disorder is also associated with masticatory and facial muscle hyperactivity, given the severe fatigue caused precisely by the excessive use of chewing muscles that do not rest as much as they should. In fact, the masticatory muscles should be activated in a time range of 1 to 2 hours maximum per day while eating meals. A person suffering from bruxism overloads this musculature and the consequences can also lead to severe headaches, as well as pain felt in the jaw area.

Before

After

How to solve the problem?

A first solution to solve the problem lies in prevention. Once the triggering factors have been identified, if they are related to stress or bad habits, the patient is invited to be careful trying to indulge in relaxing moments during the day or to drastically reduce the consumption of alcohol and coffee.

The first recommended treatment to prevent or reduce tooth wear is to use a nightguard at night to avoid tooth contact.

In more complex cases, when tooth wear is significant, intervention of a professional is often required. With targeted and specific care, the specialist is able to restore the loss of vertical dimension and the original length and shape of the teeth. >.

Contact us for an individualized consultation

To receive advice and a concrete solution to your oral situation you can rely on the services of Dr. Emanuele Cicero and his staff. Our approach is totally transparent when it comes to costs and to the services we offer and your first visit will be free of charge. Book now and regain the adequate oral health that you deserve!

 

    Consultation Request Form