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What is bruxism?
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Bruxism is the medical term that is used for teeth grinding and clenching. It is an issue that is very common that can affect up to 80% of the population. Teeth grinding of teeth and jaw clenching can cause pain, tooth wear, breakages, limit the movement of the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint disorder), migraines and headaches. It is most common in adults over the age of 25 years; the cause is not fully understood, though symptoms often worsen during periods of stress and anxiety. More often than not, the clenching of the jaw and teeth takes place whilst the sufferer is asleep. During this time the amount of pressure placed on the teeth can be up to 40 times greater than when the sufferer is awake.
What are the effects of bruxism?
Sufferers of Bruxism are affected in many ways and it can result to more serious concerns, often requiring a dentist’s intervention. We at the Victoria Road Dental Clinic have many years of experience treating patients suffering with bruxism.
There are many symptoms, some are dental related, whilst others are not. If bruxism is left untreated, for many years, it is common for patients to turn to their GP for further investigations for other medical conditions that require MRI and brain scans.
The following are some examples of short-term effects of bruxism
- The aching of the jaw and facial muscles – Facial myalgia (often diagnosed as Atypical Facial Pain)
- Limited tooth mobility
- Excessive teeth wear
- Fractured tooth cusps, broken fillings and crowns
- The receding and inflamed gums
- Headaches and migraines
- The limited opening of the mouth
- Earache, tinnitus and sinus pains
- Suffering from a stiff neck and shoulders
- Limited or poor sleep quality
- Sleep interruption and disturbance of bed partner due to noise
The following are some examples of long-term effects of bruxism
- A clicking and popping of the jaw
- Excessive teeth wear
- Fractured tooth cusps, broken fillings and crowns
- The receding and inflamed gums
- Periods of prolonged migraines
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (sometimes known as TMJD or just TMJ)
What are the treatments for Bruxism?
Bruxism can be treated in many ways, the most common treatment being occlusal splints (dental appliances). There are other therapies and treatments available, but these are generally seen as less effective. It is becoming more popular for dentists to recommend a more holistic treatment plan with combined treatments with other specialists.
Occlusal splints are generally designed to act as a mechanical separation of the teeth and may be as simple as a soft mouthguard. Other dental treatments may also be considered, such as equilibration which is when the tooth surface is ground away to make the teeth fit together better, orthodontics, or dental crowns, bridges and veneers.
