Why adults and children grit their teeth in a dream

When thinking about why adults grit their teeth in a dream, it’s no wonder confused. Someone might think that this is a bad habit. Others will begin to associate the phenomenon with internal diseases. And both sides will be right, since bruxism can occur against a variety of violations: from dental and psychological to pathologies of internal organs.

Teeth grinding as a phenomenon

According to statistics, teeth grinding habit occurs in 1-3% of children and adults, but 15% of men, women and babies do not even know about their pathology. In the medical world, the phenomenon has its own name and not one - bruxism, odonterism or Carolini syndrome. And this means that science is actively exploring the mechanisms of creaking and methods of getting rid of it.

Bruxism teeth

Why adults and babies who are near relatives grind their teeth at night, reluctantly think, since they become direct witnesses of this unpleasant phenomenon. Strongly pressing his teeth to each other, a person makes rotational movements of the jaws: back and forth, from side to side. The creaking is loud and somewhat frightening.

Such phenomena occur quite rarely during the day, it is mainly a night event. Bruxism is paroxysmal. One gnashing attack lasts from 10 seconds to 1 minutebut sometimes longer.

The disease that arose in early childhood, in 50% of cases does not require medical intervention and goes away on its own by 7 years.

Bruxism is not an independent disease, the syndrome means that there is some kind of violation in the body. Teeth grinding at night in an adult may not be the only symptom of this disorder.

People with bruxism often bite pens, pencils, nails, and the inside of their cheeks.

Why do people grind their teeth in their sleep

To understand what to do in order not to grit your teeth at night, you need to establish the nature of the phenomenon and find out exactly how this defect arises. Each group of specialists has its own opinion on this matter.

The causes of grinding teeth in a dream in adults are divided into the following groups:

• psychological;
• violations in the digestive tract;
• infectious diseases;
• helminthic infestations;
• inflammation of the mandibular joint;
• dental problems;
• other reasons.

1. Psychological

Gnashing is due to disturbances in the nervous system, which can lead to stress, depression, insomnia and other diseases.

The mechanism of the phenomenon:

• Tension of the maxillofacial muscles leads to a tight closure of the jaws.
• Psycho-emotional overload is the cause of the movement of the masticatory muscles during sleep.

Negative emotions received just before bedtime also lead to bruxism.

2. Disorders in the digestive tract

The connection between gastroenterological problems and grinding teeth during sleep is not yet scientifically proven and exists only in theory. But a certain dependence of night squeaking with teeth on digestive disorders is clearly visible.

3. Infectious diseases

Often children and adults grit their teeth with sinusitis. In addition, bruxism can develop when the treatment of any infectious disease is delayed for a long period.

4. Worm infestations

More recently, it was this reason that was considered a priority in the occurrence of "night creaks." The experiments showed the absence of a direct relationship, but revealed an indirect relationship between the phenomena. So, some types of worms affect the violation in the body's absorption of B vitamins, which leads to the development of nervous disorders.

5. Inflammation of the mandibular joint

The disease affects the functioning of the masticatory muscles, causing them to spasmin which the lower jaw suddenly moves. The disease is characterized by several more symptoms: a click with a wide opening of the mouth and yawning, impaired joint function.

6. Dental problems

Dentists are often the first doctors to detect bruxism in patients. Teeth can cause squeaking:

• malocclusion;
• trismus of the masticatory muscles associated with the eruption of "eights";
• improper removable dentures or poor-quality fillings;
• insufficient (due to removal or congenital anomaly) the number of teeth.

7. Other reasons

• Abuse of nervous system stimulating substances: coffee, black tea.
• Addiction to alcohol, tobacco, drugs.
• Cervical osteochondrosis, skull injury, epilepsy.
• Hereditary predisposition.

8. "Children's" reasons

The causes of childhood squeaking may be the same as in adults. But often the following conditions lead to the development of the syndrome:

• sleep disturbance due to nightmares;
• stress associated with new events in the life of the baby;
• adenoids and sinusitis;
• congenital pathologies;
• teething pain;
• emotionally unstable adolescence;
• hereditary factor.

Which doctor should I contact and how to treat

The doctor should prescribe treatment and find out the reason why adults or children grit their teeth in a dream. But a wide variety of causes of squeaking leads to the fact that doctors of different profiles will have to get rid of the disease. To confirm the diagnosis and receive appropriate treatment, the patient can contact the following specialists:

• to the dentist;
• neurologist;
• psychologist;
• gastroenterologist;
• otolaryngologist.

Each doctor, if bruxism is associated with his field of activity, will prescribe his own treatment regimen, which will need to be strictly adhered to. In case of malocclusion, you should consult a dentist, you need to go to a psychologist with prolonged stress and psychological disorders, and so on - there may be enough work for everyone.

Diagnosis is carried out by talking with the patient, listening to his complaints, conducting an examination and the appointment of electromyography, brain EEG and / or other necessary studies. It is important to stop hiding the problem from yourself and, in collaboration with doctors, help your body cope with the disease.

What can be done at home so as not to grit your teeth in a dream

Given that the causes of gnashing of teeth in a dream in adults are most often psychological in nature, it is important to establish personal life, protect yourself from stress and emotional outbursts. Sometimes finding peace of mind helps get rid of bruxism.

With teeth grinding in a dream, you can deal with the following methods:

• Herbal teas, including those from anti-inflammatory and sedative plants, will help get rid of squeaking with teeth in a dream, if the symptom is associated with feelings and worries. Valerian and lavender, chamomile, lemon balm and mint, as well as lemon juice with honey, help both men and women with Carolini syndrome.
• Warm milk with the addition of turmeric soothes pains of various etiologies, "gnashing of teeth".
• Mastering deep breathing practices will help alleviate the signs of bruxism or even completely stop gnashing.
• If you have problems with the nervous system, you need to ensure a healthy lifestyle, prolonged sleep and feasible physical activity.
• You can make a warm compress from ordinary tissue soaked in water and apply to tense areas of the neck or jaw. It will help relax your stiff muscles.
• It is necessary to adhere to a full, vitamin-rich diet.
• You can “scratch” your teeth with hard vegetables and fruits, and then do any exercises for the oral cavity.
• Symptoms of bruxism can disappear if you establish a harmonious regime of work and rest, arrange nightly walks in the fresh air.
• If the doctor advised you to use silicone caps, do not forget to wear them before bedtime.

If gritting your teeth at night does not go away for a long time, then the treatment of bruxism should be the prerogative of the doctor.

Possible complications

Despite the fact that the situation when people grit their teeth in a dream seems more unpleasant than dangerous, one should remember the insidiousness of Bruxism. At first, a person may not be aware of developing problems, but gradually their scale increases, which in due time can lead to catastrophic consequences:

• erasing tooth enamel;
• the occurrence of intrathecal ulcers;
• the appearance of pain due to excessive muscle tension;
• pinching of the facial nerves and their inflammation;
• increased sensitivity of tooth enamel;
• sleep disturbance, as a person sleeps intermittently;
• the occurrence of headaches, drowsiness due to lack of sleep;
• jumps in pressure, impaired pulse;
• the development of depressive states;
• loosening and shifting the dentition;
• the occurrence of caries, chips;
• tooth loss.

Arising out of nowhere creaking at night can warn of the approach of epilepsyIn addition, bruxism can be a contraindication for prosthetics. And about delivering discomfort to your loved ones, it is clear without words. This is why adults should pay attention to grinding their teeth in a dream at the very beginning and get rid of it as soon as possible.

The main thing is not just to stop gritting your teeth, but to eliminate the root cause that led to the emergence of bruxism. Compliance with the above recommendations will help prevent complications, but going to the doctor should be in the first place.