Possible Risks of Untreated Bruxism
What is the Occlusal Plate?
The occlusal plate, also known as the protective gutter, is a dental support device made from a personalized impression of your dentition.
Entirely designed in the laboratory, this channel is made of transparent or opaque resin and is easily placed in the mouth, which prevents the upper and lower teeth from coming into contact during an episode of bruxism.
For a long time, there has been a belief that people who are subject to bruxism are more anxious than average. It was further strengthened by the fact that various relaxation or psychotherapy techniques proved to be beneficial for the affected individuals; however, while stress may be an aggravating factor, no direct causal link has been established between bruxism and anxious temperament.
Indeed, episodes of bruxism can be temporary or cyclical; if someone is about to cringe at certain times in his life, there is no evidence that he will do it regularly. You must, therefore, be careful before you consider that you have bruxism permanently.
However, if you have some of the following symptoms, you may be prone to cringe:
- You often feel pain in your jaw;
- You have headaches that seem to be related to muscle tension in your neck and temporomandibular joint;
- Your tooth surface shows accelerated and unusual wear, usually diagnosed by your dentist;
- You feel pain in the temples in the morning, when you wake up.
As you can see, the symptoms of bruxism can be multiple and very different from one individual to another. To better diagnose the true cause of your problem, do not hesitate to refer to an oral health specialist, such as a dentist or denturologist.
As we pointed out earlier, if your teeth were damaged too much because of the friction caused by bruxism, a dentist or denturologist might have to work on your teeth. It could cover them with porcelain to protect them, or suggest that you use dental implants to replace them, for example.
Finally, bruxism must be considered as a problem that prematurely wears teeth and can even lead to the loss of your teeth. Also, its effects can cause disorders in your gums and bone around your teeth. When you know this, make sure to pay close attention to what’s going on in your mouth. You are now aware that detecting symptoms of bruxism as early as possible can save you a lot of problems.
