Teeth Clenching/Grinding
Wellness
SO, why is it a problem?
People who clench or grind their teeth can be affected in many ways and may not realise what the underlying cause is. In fact, many people turn to their GP and undergo medical investigations including CT scans and blood tests in the hope of resolving their symptoms.
For the majority of people teeth grinding, also known as bruxism occurs at night, meaning they have little control over it.
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Everything you need to know about teeth clenching/grinding
What are the signs of Bruxism?
- Headaches and migraines
- Aching jaw & facial muscles
- Earache, tinnitus and sinus pains
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Reduced mouth opening
- Poor sleep quality and daytime tiredness
- Tooth mobility and tooth wear
- Fractured tooth cusps and broken fillings
- Receding gums and tooth sensitivity
- Ridging of the sides of the tongue and inside of the cheeks
What causes Bruxism?
- The honest answer is that no-one really knows but it is highly likely that it has more than one cause in those affected. Factors that are associated with Bruxism include:
- Genetics
- Mouth breathing
- Epilespy
- Smoking
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Lifestyle
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Frustration
- Sleep apnoea
- Night terrors
- Exhaustion
- Personality type
- Recreational Drugs
- Parkinsons Disease
How can it be treated?
There are a number of ways to manage bruxism and whilst eliminating as many of the underlying factors as we can it is not always possible to control all of them which leaves us managing the symptoms. Lifestyle changes and managing underlying medical conditions can help but may not fully resolve the issue.
Management can be carried out in a stepwise approach and choices can be made as to whether the teeth are going to be protected alone or management is going to include relaxation of the muscles.
A soft mouthguard can be made to protect the teeth. This is like a gumshield and is usually made to fit over the lower teeth. It helps to reduce damage to the teeth but does not prevent the other symptoms associated with bruxism and may even act as a ‘stress ball’, leading to an increase in parafunctional activity. However, this treatment has the lowest monetary outlay and may be a good place to start.
The Sleep Clench Inhibitor is the most clinically effective, FDA-approved treatment for jaw joint problems, bruxism, and medically diagnosed migraines. It is a small device that can be made to cover only the lower front teeth meaning that it is well tolerated by the majority of people. By holding the teeth apart, it reduces the strength of muscle contraction so not only protects the teeth but allows the muscles to relax which relieves a lot of the other symptoms associated with grinding.
To find out more about this fantastic device, head to www.s4sdental.com/teeth-clenching-grinding-migraines-headaches
A course of acupuncture can be carried out in conjunction with the Sci. This has been clinically proven to reduce the signs and symptoms of bruxism and when combined with the SCi can help to improve your comfort significantly .
The final option, which is only used if residual symptoms still continue despite daily use of the Sci, is the administration of neurotoxin to reduce the contraction of muscles involved in clenching. The effects of this treatment can last 3-6 months and may or may not need repeating depending on whether you are a short term or long term clencher.
Disclaimer
This treatment may not be appropriate for every patient and it is conditional on a satisfactory assessment being carried out. Many cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening and chemical peels and non-surgical rhinoplasty etc require that you are medically fit prior to embarking on treatment and this may mean that other treatments need to be carried out first.
All options that are appropriate to your needs and requirements will be discussed with you in order to help you to make an informed decision about what will be in your best interest.
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Dr Kathryn Bell believes in providing the highest quality dental care to her patients. Whether you are looking to improve the health of your mouth or would like to enhance the appearance of your smile, Kathryn is here to help and happy to guide you along the journey.
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