What are the symptoms of bruxism?
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Symptoms of Bruxism: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction to Bruxism Symptoms
Bruxism, a parafunctional activity involving the masticatory system, is characterized by the clenching, grinding, or gnashing of teeth. This condition can occur both during sleep and wakefulness and is associated with a variety of symptoms affecting the teeth, jaw muscles, and overall oral health.
Teeth Grinding and Clenching
One of the most prominent symptoms of bruxism is the repetitive grinding or clenching of teeth. This activity often leads to abnormal tooth wear, which can be a significant indicator of the condition1 9. The constant pressure exerted on the teeth can also result in fractures or mobility of the teeth, further complicating oral health2.
Jaw Muscle Symptoms: Pain, Fatigue, and Hypertrophy
Bruxism is frequently associated with various jaw muscle symptoms. Individuals often experience pain, fatigue, and hypertrophy (enlargement) of the facial muscles due to the excessive use of these muscles during grinding or clenching1 2 4. These symptoms can lead to difficulties in opening the mouth fully, especially upon waking, and may also cause a feeling of stiffness or soreness in the jaw muscles4 5.
Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and Craniofacial Pain
Bruxism is closely linked to temporomandibular disorders (TMD), which involve dysfunction and pain in the jaw joint and muscles controlling jaw movement. Symptoms of TMD associated with bruxism include temporomandibular joint sounds, pain on movement, and difficulty in closing or opening the mouth3 5. Additionally, bruxism can lead to craniofacial pain, which encompasses pain in the face, head, and neck regions5 7.
Headaches and Orofacial Pain
Frequent headaches, particularly in the temporal muscle region, are a common symptom of bruxism. These headaches are often a result of the continuous strain on the jaw muscles and can significantly impact an individual's quality of life2 4 7. Orofacial pain, which includes pain in the mouth, jaws, and face, is also a prevalent symptom, exacerbated by the repetitive muscle activity associated with bruxism7.
Dental Wear and Tooth Fractures
The excessive grinding and clenching of teeth in bruxism lead to noticeable dental wear. This wear can manifest as flattened, chipped, or fractured teeth, which not only affect the aesthetics of the smile but also compromise dental function1 9 10. In severe cases, the wear can extend to the roots of the teeth, causing root fractures and increased tooth mobility2.
Conclusion
Bruxism presents a range of symptoms that primarily affect the teeth, jaw muscles, and overall oral health. Key symptoms include teeth grinding and clenching, jaw muscle pain and hypertrophy, temporomandibular disorders, craniofacial pain, headaches, and significant dental wear. Recognizing these symptoms is crucial for the timely diagnosis and management of bruxism to prevent further complications and improve the quality of life for affected individuals.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Association between signs and symptoms of bruxism and presence of tori: a systematic review
The presence of abnormal tooth wear may be associated with tori, mainly torus mandibularis, but there is insufficient evidence to confirm the association with other signs and symptoms of bruxism.
Systematic Review
Rigorous JournalMini Review: Bruxism-An Indication of Temporomandibular Disorder
Bruxism, the habit of gnashing, crunching, and grinding teeth, can lead to tooth fractures, tooth mobility, pain, hypertrophied facial muscles, and frequent headaches.
Bruxism
Bruxism is a multifactorial condition characterized by clenching or scraping of teeth, often accompanied by changes in tooth shape and function, and requires a multidisciplinary, individual approach for effective treatment.
Revisited relationships between probable sleep bruxism and clinical muscle symptoms.
High intensity Contingent Electrical Stimulation (CES) during sleep significantly reduces jaw muscle symptoms (unpleasantness, tiredness, and soreness) but not pain responses, challenging the traditional concept that sleep bruxism is directly related to pain.
RCTThe relationship of bruxism with craniofacial pain and symptoms from the masticatory system in the adult population.
Bruxism is a complex connection between difficulty in mouth movements and symptoms of masticatory disturbances in adults, with a stronger relationship to difficulty in closing the mouth.
Observational Study
Highly CitedTo what extent is bruxism associated with musculoskeletal signs and symptoms? A systematic review.
Bruxism is to some extent associated with musculoskeletal symptoms, but the evidence is conflicting and dependent on factors like age, sleep or wakefulness, and diagnostic methodology.
Systematic Review
Very Rigorous JournalTemporomandibular Disorders and Bruxism Outbreak as a Possible Factor of Orofacial Pain Worsening during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Concomitant Research in Two Countries
The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified bruxism and TMD symptoms in both Israeli and Polish populations, leading to increased orofacial pain.
Observational StudyRigorous JournalHighly CitedThe risk factors related to bruxism in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Bruxism in children is associated with factors such as gender, age, anxiety, nervousness, secondhand smoke, snoring, restless sleep, sleep disorders, and mental health issues.
Meta-AnalysisHighly CitedIntra- and Extraoral Signs of Probable Bruxism (Scoping Review)
Buccal mucosa ridge, tongue indentation, and torus mandibularis are common in bruxism patients, while masseter hypertrophy and tooth fracture are not conclusive associations.
Systematic ReviewPrevalence of clinical signs and symptoms of the masticatory system and their associations in children with sleep bruxism: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Children with sleep bruxism have a higher prevalence of primary canine wear, dental wear, and headache compared to those without sleep bruxism.
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