Sleep Bruxism Information, Symptoms and Causes

Sleep bruxism is also known as nocturnal tooth grinding. Sleep Bruxism is a sterotyped movement disorder characterized by grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep. This will cause the damage of the teeth. For many people, bruxism is an unconscious habit.

The disorder has also been identified as nocturnal bruxism, nocturnal tooth-grinding and nocturnal tooth-clenching. The 8% of adults grind their teeth at night. Grinding can be noisy enough at night to bother sleeping partners. Like clenching, grinding can lead to jaw pain and other problems.

Eventually, bruxism can destroy the surrounding bone and gum tissue. In children sleep bruxism may be related to growth and development. It is a condition that affects both kids and adults. Sleep bruxism is a problem that affects 8% to 21% one of the U.S. population.

The age for children is around 5 or 6. This usually occurs in the early part of sleep time. Sleep bruxism is believed to be related to changes that occur during sleep cycles in some individuals, and this is an active area of current research. The symptoms can cause temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ). Chewing is a complex neuromuscular activity that is controlled by reflex nerve pathways, with higher control by the brain.

Causes of Sleep Bruxism – The causes of sleep bruxism are physical and psychological also.

  • Dental problems
  • Suppressed anger
  • High levels of alcohol consumption
  • Stress
  • Masticatory muscle discomfort
  • Complications of Huntington’s disease

Symptoms of Sleep Bruxism – Worn tooth enamel, exposing the inside of your tooth

  • Earache
  • Jaw muscle discomfort
  • Headache
  • Sore gums
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Eating disorders
  • Chronic facial pain
  • Increased tooth sensitivity

Treatment for Sleep Bruxism – Most cases of bruxism are mild and may never require treatment. Occasional bruxism may not be harmful but when it occurs regularly, it may be associated with moderate to severe dental damage, facial pain, and disturbed sleep. Unfortunately, people with sleep bruxism usually aren’t aware of the habit, so they aren’t diagnosed with the condition until complications occur.

Custom-made by your dentist to fit your teeth, the appliance slips over the upper teeth and protects them from grinding against the lower teeth. While an appliance is a good way to manage bruxism, it is not a cure.

Massage the muscles of the neck, shoulders, and face. Search carefully for small, painful nodules called trigger points that can refer pain throughout the head and face.

Learn physical therapy stretching exercises to help the restore a normal balance to the action of the muscles and joint on each side of the head.

Behavior therapy. Once you discover that you have bruxism, you may be able to change the behavior by practicing proper mouth and jaw position. Concentrate on resting your tongue upward with your teeth apart and your lips closed. This should keep your teeth from grinding and your jaw from clenching.

For severe and persistent bruxism, a dentist may prescribe an oral appliance made of soft plastic to protect the teeth.

Prevention for Sleep Bruxism – Get plenty of sleep.

Try to relax in the hours before bedtime to reduce stress levels.

Jaw aligning exercises may be necessary for the prevention of the sleep bruxism.

Dental exams are the best way to screen against sleep bruxism.

Avoid eating hard foods like nuts, candies, steak.

Using caffeine, tobacco, cocaine or amphetamines seems to increase the risk of bruxism.

Stress reduction and anxiety management may reduce bruxism in persons prone to the condition.

Video – Anja Sleep Eating


Anja falls asleep during dinner

Warning: Synthetic Sleeping Pills Can Put you to Sleep Permanently

With the increasing incidence of insomnia, it is no wonder that sleeping pills can be found in most medicine cabinets across the country. Many people have become dependent on these sleep aids. Countless people think that they cannot have a good night’s sleep without taking any sleep medication.

Apparently, the manufacture of sleeping pills is a $5 billion industry in the US alone. The staggering figures suggest that Americans have come to accept that these drugs are a vital component in their everyday lives. But are sleeping pills really safe and effective? Do these products really make you sleep better and longer? Do you really need these synthetic sleeping aids just to ensure that you will have a good and restful sleep?

The Real Deal About Synthetic Sleeping Pills

The results of a study backed by the National Institutes of Health actually cast a doubt on the effectiveness of sleeping pills, on both the old and the newly released forms of these drugs. Research participants who took the new sleeping drugs slept for an average of only 13 minutes earlier than those who took placebo. Furthermore, the ones who took the newly released sleeping pills only snoozed 11 minutes longer than those who are on fake medications.

The same is true for the participants who took older formulations of sleeping pills. Those who took the placebo sleeping pills slept for an average of only ten minutes later and 32 minutes shorter than those who took the older drugs. The results of the study showed that Americans paid about $4 per sleeping pill to be able to sleep for about 30 minutes longer and around 10 minutes earlier than usual. Is the amount of sleep you get from popping these drugs into your mouth really worth the hard-earned money you spend on it?

The Hidden Dangers of Synthetic Sleeping Aides

Despite the many adverse effects linked to taking sleeping pills, the prescriptions for such drugs in the US actually increased to 50 million in 2006, which is a 30% increase from previous years. The most common side effects of frequently taking sleeping pills include headaches, allergies, facial swelling, dizziness, and addiction.

One potentially dangerous drawback of taking these pills is the development of one or more sleeping disorders, such as sleepwalking, sleep eating, and even sleep driving. People who are suffering from sleep disorders can potentially harm themselves or other individuals, especially the ones they love. Many reports have confirmed that a number of people taking synthetic sleeping aids have gained weight because of unstoppable eating during their sleep. In fact, some people have actually cut and burned themselves by using knives to cut meat and cook food while they were sleeping.

Natural Sleep Helpers

Nevertheless, you can still catch that elusive restful slumber through natural means. Before you reach out for that pill, you should first find ways of resolving your sleeping woes through changing your habits, eating healthier diet and taking supplements.

The first thing you should do is to let your mind rest from work at least three hours before your target sleeping time. For example, if you want to sleep at 10 pm, you should stop thinking about work and doing things that are work-related, such as using the computer or reading reports, by 7 pm at the latest. Minimizing your television viewing at night can also help improve your sleeping habits. Exercise and a healthy diet are also important factors that can help you go to bed early every night. Try reducing your intake of caffeine-filled drinks, such as coffee and sodas, and other stimulants, such as alcohol.

Lastly, your body needs vitamins and nutrients to promote good sleep. However, eating healthy is sometimes not enough to ensure that you get the daily dose of vitamins and minerals that will help you get to sleep. Thus, you need to take natural supplements to remedy your problem. One product that will surely help you achieve a rejuvenating nightly slumber is Sedamine. Know more about this product by visiting www.Sedamine.com.

Video – Baby Monica sleep eating


Baby Monica is very tired and refuse to sleep. She finally fell in sleep while working on a corn on the cob. Eating even when she is half asleep. (We know it is dangerous/choking hazard so we keep a very close eye on her at all times)

VIDEO – SEEN ON THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW “CARROT BABY” SLEEP – EATING – CUTE & FUNNY!


Watch the Ellen Degenerese segment featuring Zoe Beth: www.momlogic.com 16 month old Zoe Beth was getting sleepy while she ate her carrots so I grabbed my camera thinking I would film her while she fell asleep.Little did I know she would continue to try and keep eating!