Bruxism Treatment and Diagnosis

Do you wake up with a headache or a pain in your jaw & neck muscles ? Read on to learn about the reason for your pain and how you can get rid of them.

Nearly 1 in 3 people suffer from teeth grinding, or, which is involuntary grinding of teeth at night. Many times people are not aware of this habit, however it manifests in various forms such as a dull or constant headache, sore jaw, disturbed sleep, snoring, pauses in breathing, unexplained sensitivity in the teeth etc. Some other signs to look out for are within your smile. If teeth look flatter or more worn than they used to, then it is advisable to get it checked by a dentist. While the majority of people who suffer from this condition do it at night, it can happen at any time during the day. If you suspect you may be grinding your teeth, talk to our bruxism specialists at Dent Ally. They can examine your mouth and jaw for signs of bruxism and advise the treatment accordingly. This condition can take months, or even years, to be diagnosed, and by then usually significant damage may already be done. Causes of this teeth grinding include high stress ,  abnormal bite, crooked teeth etc .There is no single factor that is responsible for bruxism, however we have stated a few in the graphic below.  It's not one day of clenching or gnashing that's the problem, it's the years of this behavior that wear down your teeth, sparking the need for serious dental treatment. 

Some common problems that occur due to regular grinding of teeth are as follows:

• Loosening of teeth from the gums
• Losing of teeth
• Fracturing of teeth
• Unexplained sensitivity in teeth
• Wearing away of teeth and enamel
• Receding gums
• Aching jaws
• Recurring headaches
• Tooth pain
• Jaw joint disorders

One of the most common ways to protect your teeth from bruxism is to wear occlusal appliances/mouth guards. The appliances might have different names, including occlusal splints, occlusal bite guards, night guards, bite plates and bruxism appliances. They are custom made, specially fitted mouth pieces that fit over your top or bottom teeth. These appliances are custom made to suit your bite and the type of appliance would vary depending upon your condition and stage of bruxism. Wearing these appliances can help reduce jaw muscle pain and protect both your teeth and temporomandibular joint. 

The appliances are usually worn at bedtime and are considered the treatment of choice. If anxiety or stress is believed to be the cause of the grinding, then behavioral management is a must in addition to occlusal appliances. Relaxation techniques, meditation and psychoanalysis can help manage the stress and anxiety. If the problem is caused by improper alignment of the teeth, correcting the alignment, before too much damage is done, is a great long-term option. Common treatment modalities include braces, crowns, oral surgery, or reshaping the chewing surface of the teeth to make the teeth align properly. Untreated bruxism can result in expensive dental bills and prolonged physical and psychological suffering.

Put an end to the clenching & grinding of your teeth by visiting the bruxism specialists at Dent Ally.