![\"bruxismo-2\"](\"https:\/\/www.danichristoffer.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2015\/09\/bruxismo-2.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nAfter ten years of studies, a group of researchers in orofacial pain, bruxism and sleep\u00a0disorders at PUC (Catholic University) of Rio Grande do Sul, began to take a new\u00a0approach to the problem, in which the stress is no longer the villain that causes bruxism\u00a0but only a factor that contributes to it.<\/p>\n
For these scholars, bruxism is associated with difficulty in breathing during light the\u00a0sleep stage prior to deep sleep.<\/p>\n
Exactly! When it occurs during the day it is just an acquired habit that needs to be\u00a0changed. But when it causes disease symptoms, especially in light sleep stages the need\u00a0for oxygen is higher than in deep sleep. Those who stay for a long time in light sleep\u00a0can have up to 40 minutes per night of bruxism.<\/p>\n
According to Gilles Lavigne, author of the first book in the world on sleep disorders for\u00a0dentists “Sleep Medicine for Dentists: The Overview Practical”, which doesn\u2019t have a\u00a0translation into Portuguese yet, when we sleep, the head is in a horizontal position, and\u00a0the jaw is in a vertical position, and it falls back, a fact that prevents the passage of air\u00a0in the oropharynx region.<\/p>\n
So, because our body is very organized, and in a wise attempt to let us breathe, it\u00a0projects the jaw forward, causing the excessive grinding of the teeth and clenching the\u00a0jaw, and because it remains in that position, the muscle is strained to prevent the jaw to\u00a0fall back again, causing bruxism and its various symptoms.<\/p>\n
According to phonoaudiologist Dra.Caroline Saman, partner of our blog Sport &\u00a0Health, in a quantum view, the thing to do is to find out what the reason for the delay to\u00a0reach a deep sleep is.<\/p>\n
These causes can be: overweight, very small jaw, uvula and \/ or large amygdala, alcohol\u00a0and drugs, genetic predisposition, low production of saliva, heavy food before sleep,\u00a0stress and light or noise in the room which would disturb the sleep, lack of physical\u00a0activity, among other factors.<\/p>\n
During the evaluation, it is essential to check all those factors before beginning the\u00a0treatment. And it is not a motive for despair: with habit changes things can improve.<\/p>\n
The tips are: maintain a healthy feeding, use quantum florals (Bach flower remedies) to\u00a0stabilize the body and improve the quality of sleep, practice facial exercises.<\/p>\n
All this combined, of course, with the work of a dentist.<\/p>\n
The classic dental treatment for bruxism is accomplished by using plates which protect\u00a0the teeth and relax the muscles, the so called \u201cbruxism plates”. According to Dr. Marcos\u00a0El Saman, a specialist in orthodontics, the problem is that these traditional plates only\u00a0relax the muscles and do not solve the cause of the disorder. The best thing to do is to\u00a0use a plate in both arches with a mandibular advancement device to protect teeth and to\u00a0ensure proper breathing while we sleep. These devices also promote stretching of the\u00a0elevator muscle of the jaw and also promote facial rejuvenation.<\/p>\n
The definitive cure for bruxism doesn\u2019t exist yet, but these latest researches have helped\u00a0a lot in controlling the problem and consequently in improving the quality of life.<\/p>\n
So, let\u2019s get rid of bruxism!<\/p>\n
Take care of yourself! And live better!<\/p>\n
A big kiss!<\/p>\n