Suffering from Teeth Grinding? Our Dentist Can Help!

If you suffer from teeth grinding, our dentist can help. We have a wide range of solutions available to help you fight this damaging problem.

Otherwise known as bruxism, it’s a term used to describe any excessive grinding and clenching of the jaw that doesn’t constitute a normal chewing movement. The problem with teeth grinding is that although it can occur subconsciously during the day, more often than not, it occurs during sleep (nocturnal bruxism). For this reason, you may not even know that you’re doing it until it’s pointed out by your bed partner or your local dentist during a regular check-up.

Unfortunately, bruxism isn’t just an annoyance for others, it also causes many side effects for the ‘grinder’. These include:

Frequent headaches
Earache
Disrupted sleep (for you and your partner)
Worn down teeth which can lead to increased sensitivity and tooth loss
Stiffness and pain in the temporomandibular (jaw) joint which can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD)

So if you do suffer from any of the above, then it’s well worth paying a visit to a dentist who can assist with bruxism treatment.

Treating teeth grinding

Fortunately, there are several methods of dental and non-dental treatment that have been proven to be successful. While some tackle the action and subsequent damage of grinding the teeth, others look to treat the underlying causes. Treatments include:

Mouth guards or mouth splints

Mouth guards or splints are fabricated by our Epping dentist to fit the individual features of your mouth. Designed to be worn overnight during sleep, they even out any pressure across the jaw while acting as a physical barrier between your upper and lower teeth. Modern mouthguards are similar to those used in contact sports in that they are lightweight, comfortable, and in many cases, discreet.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

There are many differing opinions on what triggers teeth grinding and one theory is stress or anxiety. If our Epping dentist suspects that your teeth grinding is brought on by one of the above factors, they may refer you to a cognitive behavioural therapist to undergo CBT. A specialist can help you manage your problems by changing the way you behave or think.

Relaxation techniques

When it comes to teeth grinding cures, Epping patients will be pleased to know that there are several actions or relaxation techniques that they can take themselves to prevent stress that may cause teeth grinding. These include:

Yoga
Reading
Deep breathing and
Having a bath before bedtime.

Habit reversal techniques

Teeth grinding is a habit, therefore habit-reversal techniques are designed to break that habit. For instance, if you are aware you grind your teeth when awake, you may want to record how often you grind teeth each day. From this, you can work out when you’re likely to do it. So if the problem mainly occurs when feeling stressed, you could look at better ways to cope with that stress.

Whatever you decide, you shouldn’t have to suffer from the effects of teeth grinding. Lyndarum family dentist can help you to break the cycle. Contact us today for more information. We’re an excellent starting place for helping you to treat your bruxism issues, so get in touch!

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