Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is often a night time habit that can strike at any age. It is also called sleep bruxism or nocturnal bruxism. Many people are unaware that they grind their teeth at night until they have adverse effects on their dental health or until their partner tells them. Or we may see signs of it at your regular checkups and inform you. In addition, you may clench your jaw or grind your teeth subconsciously while you’re awake. This is called “awake bruxism.”
There are serious consequences if you do not treat your teeth grinding. Eventually, you will wear down your tooth enamel, and your teeth will subsequently break. Your jaw joint, which is under a tremendous amount of stress when you grind, will start to dysfunction.
Several things can be done to prevent your teeth from grinding. Depending on the underlying cause and symptoms of your teeth grinding, some remedies may be more effective than others. At Smiles at Currambine’s teeth grinding treatment, special mouthguards called occlusal splints are custom-made for each patient based on their unique bite pattern as revealed by dental x-rays taken during the consultation process. An occlusal splint cushions your teeth and prevents them from grinding against each other while you sleep. They also help relax muscles around the jaw joints, reducing the strain placed on these joints during sleep.
Sometimes, treatment is not necessary. In many cases, children outgrow bruxism without treatment, and many adults do not clench or grind their teeth badly enough to require treatment. If the problem is severe, your dentist can treat it to prevent further damage to the teeth and relieve jaw pain.
Bruxism can be treated early to avoid the need for expensive and extensive dental restorations. Thus, you can save a lot of time and money.
When you grind your teeth at night, occlusal splints help to distribute the bite force evenly, thereby minimizing periodontal damage, preventing tooth damage, and reducing nighttime clenching. Additionally, they can help to reduce any grinding noises you make during the night and reduce headaches and pain related to teeth grinding.
Say goodbye to teeth grinding headaches! Our custom-made night guards protect your teeth, providing comfort and uninterrupted sleep.
Whether you suspect bruxism or have been diagnosed, our practice offers relief with custom-fit splints. No more waking up with headaches or jaw pain!
We prioritize your well-being, offering Saturday appointments and same-day consultations when needed. Contact us to start your journey towards relief at our Currambine, WA practice.
Stress and anxiety are the most common causes of teeth grinding. Increased stress and anxiety can lead to teeth grinding. As stress and anxiety levels rise, the grinding gets worse. Other causes of bruxism include misaligned teeth and sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Other factors include drinking alcohol, smoking, using recreational drugs, and taking a large amount of caffeine. The likelihood of someone grinding one’s teeth is twice as high for people who drink and smoke. On the other hand, children tend to grind their teeth because of:
- Allergies
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Misaligned teeth
- Irritation of the mouth
- Hereditary conditions
Many people are unaware that they grind their teeth at night. An obvious symptom of bruxism is the sound of scraping and grinding. It produces an unpleasant noise that anyone in the vicinity can hear.
Here are some other signs that you may have bruxism:
- Sleep disruption
- Facial pain or headaches when you wake up in the morning
- Loose or painful teeth
- Muscle pain in the jaw
- Fractured teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Worn-down teeth, exposing deeper layers of your teeth
- Hypersensitive teeth
- Earaches
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders, characterised by clicking or popping in the jaw
- Locked jaw
- Bleeding on the gums or inside of the cheek
The following problems and side effects can arise from teeth grinding:
- Headaches
- Toothaches
- Facial pain
- Ear pain
- Jaw pain
- Teeth wearing down and flattening
- Loose teeth
- Fractured, cracked, or damaged teeth
- Damage to fillings and crowns
If you have untreated bruxism for an extended period of time, you may develop complications from teeth grinding. Among the long-term complications are:
- Chronic earache and headache
- Changes in your appearance and your facial profile or facial muscle enlargement
- Tooth-damaging conditions that require dental restoration procedures, such as dental bonding, fillings, crowns, or bridges
- Put a strain on your jaw and neck muscles, as well as your TMJ
- Difficulty chewing, speaking, and swallowing
A splint looks similar to a sports mouthguard. It is created just for you based on impressions that we’ll take in our clinic. Once this information is gathered, we can send it off to our local laboratory. There, your splint will be custom-made to fit you. When it’s completed, the lab will send it back to us. You can pick it up and start wearing it straight away. It may take you a few nights to get used to the feeling of wearing your splint. It can be cleaned easily with your toothbrush to make sure it stays fresh.
Here are a few tips to prevent teeth grinding:
- Avoid cigarettes, recreational drugs, and alcohol because they can make teeth grinding worse while you are asleep
- Schedule regular dental appointments. Getting treatment from a dentist as soon as possible can prevent long-term damage from teeth grinding.
- Obtain treatment for other dental problems, such as missing, crooked, or misaligned teeth.
If you experience symptoms of teeth grinding or suspect bruxism, book your teeth grinding treatment appointment today. Take a proactive step towards protecting your teeth and enjoying optimal oral health.
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