Our Dental Surgery Offers Treatment for Bruxism

Do you know that our dental surgery offers treatment for bruxism, but what exactly is this condition, and what are the symptoms and its side effects? Bruxism is a parafunctional habit whereby you clench your teeth tightly together, or grind them against each other. Although it generally occurs at night, bruxism can also occur during the day, but a lot of people are unaware that they are doing it until they begin to exhibit other symptoms.

Symptoms of Teeth Grinding and Clenching include:

• Noticing your jaw aches or feels sore
• Noticing your teeth feel more sensitive to hot and cold foods
• Your teeth may appear chipped or worn, or may look a little shorter than before
• You might suffer from frequent headaches
• Bruxism can sometimes cause ear ache

Side Effects of Teeth Grinding and Clenching

Side effects of teeth grinding and clenching can include cracked tooth syndrome, and infection of the root canal. Cracked tooth syndrome can occur due to the excessive forces exerted during clenching and grinding of the teeth. These cracks generally occur in the back teeth, as that is where the biting forces are greatest, and they can extend right into the dentine of the tooth and down below the gum line (the dentine is underneath the outer layer of hard enamel protecting your teeth). These cracks can be very difficult to detect. Every time you bite down or chew, they will open up slightly, creating sensitivity in the tooth, and can allow bacteria to enter into the tooth, causing infection and decay.

If not treated quickly enough, this infection could spread to the central pulp area of the tooth which can be quite painful, as this is the area that contains all the nerves. Teeth affected in this way will need root canal treatment to remove the infection. Thereafter, the damaged tooth can be restored with a crown.

Sometimes the cracks in the teeth can extend right into the root of the tooth. Unfortunately such cracks cannot be fixed and the tooth will need to be extracted. Extracted teeth can be replaced with a dental implant or bridge in our dental surgery.

Custom-made Mouthguards at our Dental Surgery

For bruxism, the common course of treatment is to wear a mouthguard to minimise the harmful effects of grinding or clenching your teeth. Your mouthguard is a custom made device designed specifically for your individual needs. It works by not only protecting your teeth from excessive forces, but also by putting the jaw into a more relaxed position, reducing stress on the muscles. Although this treatment is very successful, our dental surgery can also give you a few helpful hints on things to try at home. These may help relieve symptoms when used in conjunction with a mouthguard and include:

• Using moist heat, or ice packs to relieve swelling and pain
• Avoiding hard foods such as nuts and boiled sweets that could aggravate sore jaw muscles
• Gently massaging the face, neck and shoulders
• Actively making the effort to relax your facial muscles during the day so this becomes a habit
• Making sure you have a good quality diet, and that you get plenty of sleep
• Trying to reduce your stress levels
• Taking gentle exercise such as yoga, or taking up meditation

If you think you might be suffering from bruxism, please make an appointment to visit our dental surgery for a proper diagnosis. We will be able to prescribe the correct course of treatment for your condition.