bruxism (Parkinson’s disease)

Involuntarily grinding the teeth together. The rigidity and spasms of Parkinson’s disease can affect the muscles of the jaw, causing the jaw to clamp shut. This puts tremendous force on the teeth and can cause them to wear down over time or even break. it also can interfere with eating, drinking, and speaking when it prevents the mouth from opening.

Bruxism, as do many Parkinson’s symptoms, tends to lessen or disappear during an on-state and worsen or return during an off-state. Treatment for bruxism, then, is the same as for other motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Muscle relaxants (antispasmodic drugs) such as clonazepam or anticholinergic medications such as trihexyphenidyl sometimes provide relief, although they can have undesired systemic effects such as drowsiness and, with anticholinergics, dry mouth. When bruxism is so severe that it prevents opening the mouth and chewing, Botulinum toxin therapy is often effective for immediate and long-term relief. These injections paralyze small segments of the muscles, causing them to relax.

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