Source: Rev Stomatol Chir Maxillofac 1990;91 Suppl 1:127
(Translated from the French by James Michels)
Abstract: Bruxism and facial tics are most often atypical forms of tetany. Prolonged treatment by magnesium administration nearly always leads to their disappearance and also an improvement in associated functional disorders.
Circumstances led me to be interested in anxiety (chairside observation being particularly useful here). Using massive doses of magnesium for the last ten years, I observed, in a few months, considerable improvements in unforeseen areas. Patients felt less anxious, more accepting of themselves, and less tired and irritable. Patients taking magnesium also experienced other problems disappear, such as episodes of tachycardia, tensional anomalies, and especially muscular contractions of the striated muscles, of the nape, of the trapezius, of cramps in the calves, or of the smooth muscles (spasmodic colitis, hiccups, or painful periods).
In our specialty, we are noting the disappearance of spasms, tics and especially of bruxism. I first understood that bruxism was only an atypical form of tetany and I treated all my cases of bruxism with magnesium with unfailing success.
Systematic investigation reveals that patients suffering from bruxism often suffer from similar problems. Or conversely, I was led to consider that facial tics were also atypical forms of tetany. The treatment of facial tics with magnesium has never failed. Tics progressively disappeared along with their associated manifestations, while, at the same time, an overall improvement in general health set in.
One must note however that stopping the administration of magnesium leads to the recurrence of the problems which existed before the beginning of treatment.
The best results were obtained with Solumag [Editor’s note: Solumag is the brand name of a medication whose sole active ingredient is Magnesium Pyrrolidone Carboxylate; for more information, follow this link: http://home.intekom.com/pharm/hexal/solumag.html] (one capsule, three times a day) [Editor's Note: with each capsule probably containing magnesium oxide equivalent to 150 mg of magnesium]. In case of problems, it was replaced with Spasmag [Editor: another magnesium-containing medication--magnesium sulfate].
Treatment must last at least six months, preferably a year, certain patients have been in treatment for ten years. After the dose takes effect, the patient adjusts it to his needs. This treatment does not involve addiction or risk if the renal system is functioning normally. With children, the most practical form is Magnespasmyl [Editor: another magnesium-containing mineral supplement—magnesium lactate] (a capsule of 50 mg or a teaspoon of granules morning and evening). Owing to the fact that, in children, magnesium deficiency has been of comparative short duration, their treatment can include breaks (at which time no magnesium is taken).
Bruxism and facial tics are atypical manifestations of tetany. Biological research is necessary to explain the clinical facts and their etiology, such as non-utilization of reserves through the lack of another trace element or of a hormone. We know, for example, that magnesium deficiency is accompanied by symptoms which are spontaneously corrected by the administration of magnesium. We know that the supply of vitamin D facilitates the intake of magnesium by the organism. This manuscript's only goal is to make known the clinical observations accumulated over the last ten years and to encourage practitioners to prescribe magnesium for the greatest good of their patients.