Bruxism Effects Extend To Other Parts Of The Body

Bruxism is an affliction where the jaws are clenched and grinding of the teeth occurs. It occurs in most people at some period of their lives but is usually a passing phase and does not result in any health issues. It is an unconscious habit that can occur either during the day or at night; the bruxism effects on the health of an individual are greatest when the clenching and grinding occurs while asleep. Bruxism is not a disease but a habit that is difficult to control and leads to sleep disorders.

Bruxism affects people in many ways and bruxism effects on the health are usually classified as either short term or long term. Short term bruxism effects include such problems as headaches (patients are more likely to suffer from headaches by a factor of three), earaches, aching facial and jaw muscles, difficulty in fully opening the mouth, pain and stiffness in the shoulders, sleep disruption, loose and falling teeth and inflamed gums among others health issues. In the case of short term bruxism, the habit gradually fades away and as it does, the other related problems also do so and the patient usually requires no treatment. However, what is often overlooked is the affect that bruxism can have on a spouse or partner. The grinding and disturbed sleep of the nocturnal bruxism patient can affect the sleep of the spouse or partner and cause him or her to sleep in a different room which often leads to huge strains on the relationship.

The long term bruxism effects can become major health issues requiring extensive treatment, often including surgery to correct bone and muscular degeneration. The most visible of the long term bruxism effects are seriously worn down and broken teeth due to the excessive clenching of the jaws and grinding motions. While this can be repaired through orthodontic surgery and the fitting of caps, false teeth or complete dentures, nothing can be done until the symptoms of bruxism completely disappear. From the long term health point of view, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) is a more serious problem as this is a condition of the joints and muscles that is caused by the stress that bruxism places on the jaws, neck and shoulders which can impair mobility. While physiotherapy can often help in the alleviation of the symptoms of TMJ, in severe cases long term medication or even invasive treatment may be required.

Bruxism is not a life threatening health problem but it is a serious one and should not be taken from granted. Bruxism effects are not limited to just the mouth and jaw but, as mentioned above, can extend to other parts of the body and become the cause of other health issues.