Sunday, January 24, 2010

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/overcoming-pain/201001/getting-the-crux-bruxism

Getting To The Crux Of Bruxism

Chomping at the bit.

Your face hurts and you wonder why. Well, maybe the days of wondering and wandering from doctor to doctor are over. You might be, quite literally, chomping at the bit.

A survey published in "Acta Odontologica" sought to determine whether orofacial pain was associated with bruxism and insomnia symptoms. The researchers found that moderate to severe pain was significantly associated with insomnia and frequent bruxism, in addition to female gender, but negatively associated with age over 45 years....

Of course, it is reasonable to try oral splints. However, caregivers should also focus on the brain, and not just the teeth: depression and anxiety should be ruled in or out, and aggressively treated. Sleep apnea should be ruled out with a sleep study, and treated if found, as sleep apnea is known to be a cause of secondary bruxism.


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