Teeth Grinding (bruxism) solution at brisbane smile boutique

 

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism is involuntary clenching and grinding of the teeth that usually happens during sleep.

  • Causes are generally stress related, due to concentration, some medications, exercising late at night and a lot of caffeine.

  • Treatments include occlusal splints (to be worn at night), repair of tooth damage, and stress management therapy

  • Therapeutic application of prescription medication can be used to alleviate jaw pain caused by teeth grinding (due to new regulations further information about this treatment must be discussed in consultation with one of our doctors)

About teeth grinding / bruxism

Bruxism or teeth grinding is the involuntary clenching, grinding and gnashing of the teeth, usually at night time. About half of the population may grind their teeth at various points in time, and around 5% of the population are regular, forceful tooth grinders.

Usually a person does not realise that they grind their teeth in their sleep, although a partner who shares their bed may hear grinding noises of the teeth at night, and is often the first to notice. Teeth grinding may be a result of stress.

Symptoms of teeth grinding

  • headache, jaw joint and/or ear pain

  • aching teeth, particularly after waking up

  • aching and/or stiffness of the face and temples after waking up

  • aching or stiffness in the jaws while chewing, particularly during breakfast

  • clenching the jaw when angry, anxious or concentrating

  • temperature sensitive teeth

  • cracked or chipped tooth enamel

  • tooth indentations on the tongue

  • raised tissue on the inside of the cheek caused by biting

  • loose teeth

Signs of teeth grinding

  • cracked tooth enamel

  • wear and tear on the teeth

  • broken teeth or broken restorations and fillings

  • pain in the jaw joint or limited movement

  • painful jaw muscles radiating up to the ear

  • tooth loss

  • enlargement of the jaw muscles

  • temperature sensitivity

  • tension headaches

  • ear ache

Risk Factors for tooth grinding

  • Stress and anxiety

  • Alcohol

  • Smoking

  • Caffeine

  • Snoring

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnoea

  • Drugs: Antidepressants, anti-psychotics, illicit drugs

  • Exercise late at night

Treatment for teeth grinding at brisbane smile boutique

If you think you grind your teeth, speak with our dentists at Brisbane Smile Boutique. They will examine your teeth and supportive structures in your mouth, use 3D scanning techniques to map our pressure points in your bite, and discuss possible treatment options, such as:

  • repair of tooth damage

  • rule out other types of tooth wear such as erosion from a chemical imbalance, such as may be caused by gastric reflux

  • assessment of risk factors including sleep disordered breathing

  • issuing a 3D printed occlusal splint to wear at night so that a protective and custom made night guard is worn down instead of losing tooth structure, which will help with the symptoms

Management of bruxism

  • stress management therapy

  • relaxation techniques

  • psychological therapy to assist with anxiety

  • hypnotherapy

  • good sleep practices

  • occlusal splint

  • therapeutic application of prescription medication to target the jaw muscles

  • drinking no more than a cup of coffee a day

  • regular exercise which is not late in the evening