Symptoms, signs, and consequences of bruxism

Sleep bruxism often exerts remarkably powerful forces on teeth, gums, and joints. While not a life-threatening condition, the sustained application of such forces often impairs the quality of life of affected individuals. Some suspected symptoms and consequences of chronic bruxism are:

I. It may lead to sensitive, worn-out, decayed, fractured, loose, or missing teeth. As long as bruxism continues, the situation keeps getting worse. Thus, by 40 or 50 years of age, most bruxers have worn their teeth to the degree that extensive tooth restorations must be performed.

II. Long-term bruxism often causes changes of appearance, in at least three different ways. To begin with, damaged, worn-out teeth are not as appealing as healthy teeth. Second, as the teeth wear out, they become shorter. As a result, when the mouth is closed, the upper and lower jaws are nearer than they used to be, and so are the nose and chin. The skin now may bag below the eyes and curl around the lips, causing the lips to seemingly disappear. The chin recedes, and the person looks comparatively old. Third, bruxism involves excessive muscle use, leading to a build-up or enlargement (hypertrophy) of facial muscles. In long-term bruxers, this build-up may lead to a characteristic, square-jaw, appearance.

III. Long-term bruxers sometimes experience jaw tenderness, jaw pain, fatigue of facial muscles, headaches, neck aches, earaches, and hearing loss.

IV. Bruxism occasionally causes inflammation and blockage of some salivary glands. Most likely, the masseter muscles become disproportionately overdeveloped and block the opening of the nearby parotid glands. They thus interfere with the flow of saliva into the mouth, causing the saliva to accumulate in the glands. This in turn may lead to periodical swelling, pain, inflammation, and abnormal dryness of the mouth.

V. Bruxism may also damage the temporomandibular joints (TMJs). Bruxism is believed to be one of the leading causes of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). To be sure, besides bruxism, TMDs may be caused by such things as whiplash, a hard blow to the chin, malocclusion, nearby tumors, orthodontic treatment, arthritis, long-term scuba diving, or prolonged violin playing. But the important point here is that chronic bruxism may induce TMDs. Often, the first warning signs of TMDs are TMJ discomfort or pain, soreness of jaws and muscles, clicking or popping sounds when opening the jaws or while chewing, and difficulties in fully opening the mouth. If bruxism continues at this point, these symptoms become more severe. TMDs are often associated with chronic pain, which may last months or years. A sufferer may wake up, for example, totally unable to open the mouth or the jaw may suddenly lock or dislocate during chewing. Eventually, a difficult surgery of uncertain efficacy may be required.

VI. Dental fillings often contain solid mercury. Mercury, in turn, is not entirely safe. According to the American Dental Association, for example, "there is insufficient evidence to justify claims that mercury from dental amalgams has an adverse effect on the health of patients". In bruxers, though, the situation is a bit more complicated, for there is some evidence of higher levels of mercury in the blood of some bruxers with mercury fillings.

VII. Clenchers, as we have seen, destroy their teeth silently; hence, their habit does not directly impinge on members of their household. Grinders find themselves in a more uncomfortable position, for the people they interact with often find the grinding sound offensive, irritating, or disturbing.

The picture that emerges is of a habit that is not life threatening in any way. Moreover, in its initial stages, when bruxism only involves minor symptoms and inconveniences, it is often ignored by both patients and clinicians. At a certain stage, however, the symptoms begin to noticeably affect one's quality of life. It is typically at this stage that a patient seeks professional advice.

Text III. Stained teeth

Perfect snow-white smile is an ever-lasting dream. There are many reasons for your desire to make your teeth look whiter, including:

- the boost to your confidence and self-esteem that comes from a great smile,

- a younger appearance,

- a special event such as a wedding, job interview or class reunion,

- a desire to make a positive first impression on others, etc.

Just like we all have different hair and skin colour, people also have different tooth colour. Some teeth are more yellow than others, while others yellow with aging. Stained teeth (surface stains and internal discoloration) can be caused by a wide variety of factors:

- the natural aging process;

- using tobacco. Smoking can also lead to yellow or brown stains on teeth. The more you smoke, the darker your teeth become.

- Certain things you eat or drink can give your teeth a dull or yellow appearance. Drinking coffee, tea, colas or red wine and eating pigmented foods such as cherries and blueberries can evolve discolouring.

- Accumulation of plaque and tartar deposits.

- What’s more, certain drugs may cause discolouring of teeth as well. Some antibiotics or fluorine taken at an early age, when the teeth are developing, lead to the development of yellow, brown and grey stains later in life.

- Trauma to the teeth, using them as tools and

- general neglect will also make your smile less attractive.

Dentists advise: “ Break bad habits before they break your teeth”