Many of us often encountered such a phenomenon as a strong clenching of the jaws in a dream and grinding of teeth. Some heard these symptoms in close people, and some felt painful symptoms themselves. But why do people grit their teeth in a dream , and what can it lead to? In this article we will try to deal with this phenomenon and give an answer to a question that excites many.
Bruxism: Myths
In medicine, grinding teeth during sleep was called bruxism. It affects many children and about 15 percent of the adult population. However, quite often, not only ordinary people, but also individual experts believe that a nightly grinding of teeth is a manifestation of a malocclusion or a consequence of helminthic invasion.
Long-term studies in various dental institutions to answer the question of why teeth grind in a dream have shown that this problem carries the danger of erasing tooth enamel over many years of life. But at the same time, it practically does not depend on the wrong bite.
This conclusion was made after examining a large number of people with different types of tooth structure. As it turned out, teeth grinding is inherent in all categories of occlusion and does not depend on any of its features.
However, here it is necessary to separately specify the answer to the question of why the child is grinding his teeth in his sleep. When the baby's teeth begin to erupt, the so-called functional bruxism appears. In response to itching in the gum area, children try to “scratch” them, resulting in a creak.
In addition, bruxism can occur at the primary school or preschool age, which is predetermined by the continuation of the formation of the tooth arcade. However, over time, this phenomenon must pass, mainly it appears between the ages of two to seven years.
As for helminthic invasion, studies in medical centers prove that there is no dependence of the appearance of bruxism symptoms on the presence of any kind of parasites in the human body. Such prejudice occurred rather at the household level and simply became popular among many generations.
Bruxism: reality
Currently, scientists give three answers to the question of why they grit their teeth in a dream. Moreover, these are more likely theories than fully verified medical diagnoses.
The main theory is based on the assumption that bruxism is an unconscious manifestation of physical or nervous exhaustion. It can be caused by a depressed state, anxiety, various phobias.
In addition, there is a high probability that the grinding of teeth is programmed in the minds of people even while awake. Anger, emotional communication in a dream with someone or something is due to clenching of the teeth and corresponding grinding. This is a kind of echo of daily behavior and unrealized opportunities.
The second possible answer to the question why a person grinds his teeth in a dream is the conclusion of somnologists (somnology is a science that studies the nature of sleep) that bruxism can be the result of a disorder of the deep and superficial phases of sleep. Moreover, the symptoms of such a violation can be not only gnashing of teeth, but also enuresis, sleepwalking, snoring and the appearance of nightmares.
The third theory is the opinion of geneticists about the genetic predisposition of a person to the manifestations of bruxism. That is, this condition may be the same in people with consanguinity.
In addition to these theories, it has been suggested that bruxism is a symptom of a disease. But reliable facts about the connection of night grinding of teeth with any form of ailment have not yet been established.
How to get rid of bruxism
After answering the question why teeth grind in a dream, let's look at some recommendations for getting rid of this phenomenon. If this applies to children, then it is simply necessary to try to exclude overwork and not affect their emotions in the afternoon.
In addition, any unkind word or broken toy can lead to bruxism. And during the period of the change of teeth, it is generally advisable to consult a pediatric dentist who will select a special tire for the child that prevents night friction and grinding.
If gritting of teeth is manifested in adults, then for them, in addition to visiting a doctor, it is advisable to carry out a complex of sedative procedures and take a course of sedation. Moreover, instead of taking relaxing alcohol, it is better for such people to do meditation. Or sports, but do it no later than two hours before going to bed.