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Bruxism
Bruxism is a medical term for teeth grinding, affecting about eight percent of adults. From occasional pain in the jaw to chronic grinding, it can become a lifelong habit if not treated. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), bruxism is a parasomnia, and it can be determined as a form of stress decomposition. Currently, there is no known cure and enamel protective Mouthguards (Occlusal splints) are the most accessible solution.
If you’re one of the few individuals who struggle with teeth grinding, our dentists help design custom mouthguards dedicated to your specific needs.
Book a consultation with us to find out more about your options!
What is a Nightguard?
Mouthguards are dental devices made from flexible plastic that covers the gums and teeth to prevent injuries. You can get a custom-fitted mouthguard for comfortability and the best protection, or a nightguard that’s designed specifically to reduce symptoms of bruxism. From mild to severe bruxism, our dentists can provide you with the highest quality and best protection for your teeth.
Does Bruxism Happen Only During the Night?
Bruxism can also happen during the daytime. While sleep bruxism can happen without the patient’s knowledge during sleep, daytime teeth grinding is mainly caused by stress and anxiety. It is considered You may unconsciously clench or grind your teeth during the day, as a response to work-related stress. Over time, this reaction can cause jaw soreness, headaches, and eventually tear down your enamel.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
There’s no definitive cause for teeth grinding, but it’s often linked to sleep problems, stress, and anxiety, as well as taking certain medicines like antidepressants. Bruxism can occur in all ages, and no gender difference has been observed in Bruxism patients.
Why Is Teeth Grinding Harmful?
Chronic teeth grinding will potentially result in loosening, fracturing, or loss of teeth, The grinding or clenching causes you to wear your teeth down to stumps. When that happens, crowns, bridges, root canals, complete dentures, or implants may be necessary. Worse cases are that it can also affect your jaws, change the appearance of your face, and even cause or worsen TMD/TMJ.
Diagnosis of Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
It’s often difficult to tell whether the grinding is just a developing habit or has developed into a serious problem. The following symptoms can be caused by bruxism and patients are usually not aware they have been experiencing sleep bruxism:
- Fractured tooth or tooth restoration
- Tooth wear
- Disrupted sleep patterns
In some cases, patients self-report their diagnosis of sleep bruxism based on grinding sounds. It’s either their sleep partners who have brought their clenching habit to their attention or they’ve woken up from their own loud clenching sound.
Besides all these, there are symptoms that patients should watch out for. These include:
- Excessive grinding
- Pain and discomfort in the jaws
- Masticatory muscle soreness
- Headaches
- An Earache
Your Brisbane Dentist may recommend Occlusal Splints or Bite Plates for the treatment. These offer protection against destructive teeth grinding, and may reduce the habit. However, they cannot cure Bruxism.
Dental Protection Night Guards
Custom-fitted Nightguards – are specifically designed uniquely to a patient’s needs. It is typically crafted at a professional laboratory based on the dentist’s instructions. Initially, your dentist will make an impression on your teeth and use it as a mold for your mouthguard using a special material. Because of the materials and extra work involved, it tends to be expensive but offers the most comfort and protection.
Benefits of Dentist-Fit Nightguards
A custom-fitted nightguard is dentist-fit and ensures that the device conforms with your actual teeth arrangement. Allowing you to fully cushion your teeth from fractures and wearing. It also prevents you from injuring your lips, tongue, or cheeks during clenching. They do not only offer comfortable fitting and quality materials, but also superior protection.
Do’s
- Clean using a soft toothbrush.
- Keep away from hot water, instead rinse with soapy water.
- Dry out before storing
- Store in the container if it’s not in use
- Splint should be an essential tool if you have sleep bruxism
Don’ts
- Avoid chewing your mouthguard
- Do not use hot water when rinsing
- Do not wear retainers under your mouthguard
- Don’t store while wet else it will become contaminated with bacteria
Dental Solutions for Bruxism
Although there is no known cure for BruxismsSeveral protective dental devices are widely used by dentists to reduce teeth grinding habits. These appliances can lessen the impact of clenching forces and offer protection against severe attrition between the upper and lower teeth.
Soft Vacuum-Formed Mouthguards are one of the cost-effective solutions for short-term aid. But they are not a permanent solution and can wear down pretty quickly. If you’re having chronic sleep bruxism, getting a protective occlusal bite is usually the best treatment. Although it may not completely cure the habit, it can help minimize the severe damage to the teeth.
If the teeth are excessively worn, dental crowns on worn down teeth may be recommended. Combining it with regular psychiatric or psychological therapy may also be beneficial.
Dental Restorations for People with Bruxism
Dental restorations for bruxism have a high rate of failure. This is because teeth grinding may result in the failure of dental restorations/veneers or cause cusp fractures. When dentists design tooth restorations, they usually consider the effects of excessive occlusal forces of bruxism. Recent studies found that patients who suffer from teeth grinding have a lower rate of implant success. If you’re suffering from bruxism you may complain from:
- Headache
- Tooth wear
- Orofacial pain
- Tenderness in masticatory muscle
- Fractured tooth
- Hypersensitivity to liquor or cold air.
These complications should be referred to a Brisbane dentist near you to treat potential dental wear.
Tips for Easing Bruxism Before Bedtime
If you’re looking for a quick treatment, our Sandgate dentist can fit you with a nightguard to protect your teeth from severe grinding. But, if you want to break the habit naturally, here are some tips worth considering:
- Use a warm heating pad. You can apply a heating pad to your jaw area before bedtime to ease muscle tension.
- Cutback from caffeine. Avoid drinks such as chocolate, coffee, and cola.
- Avoid alcoholic drinks. Studies found that alcohol consumption tends to intensify teeth grinding.
- Train yourself not to grind your teeth. If you notice you’ve been clenching your teeth during the day, place the tip of your tongue between your upper and lower teeth. This will help your jaw muscles relax.
For severe cases of teeth grinding, we recommend getting in touch with one of our Sandgate Bayside dentists and Book Online
- Is it safe to wear a nightward while wearing braces?
- Is it necessary to wear a nightguard every night?
- How long does a mouthguard last?
- Why do my teeth hurt while wearing a night guard?
- Is it possible for teeth grinding to go away over time?
- Is teeth grinding a concern?
- Is it safe to let my night guard soak in Listerine?
- Can you get sick from a nightguard?
- Are night guards worth getting?
- Yes. A properly fitted nightguard may even be particularly important for people who have braces. Your dentist can help design the best protection for your unique teeth arrangement. However, you should know that retainers are different from braces and should not be worn under your nightguard since they may risk injuries.
- Yes. It’s important to wear a nightguard every night especially if you have chronic bruxism. Not wearing one could result in worn or fractured teeth.
- With adequate care, your mouthguard’s lifespan could last up to 3 to 5 years. However, we recommend getting it replaced at the earliest signs of any damage.
- If you experience any discomfort while wearing a nightguard, it is a sign that the device is not fitted properly in your mouth or you have skipped wearing it for few nights. It may be too small or too large and may not be providing the protection you need.
- Yes.
- Aggressive teeth grinding can lead to damaged teeth, jaw pain, and even headaches and earaches. It’s a good idea to keep an eye out for older children so they won’t damage their permanent teeth.
- No. You should avoid soaking it in mouthwash as it may cause damage. Although you can rinse it with mouthwash, you should wash it with cool water afterwards and store it dry.
- An unclean mouth guard can become a breeding ground for bacteria, mold, and yeast. These can lead to streptococcal and staphylococcal infections. That’s why it’s important to regularly clean your mouthguard to not attract dangerous organisms
- Yes. Nightguards protect your teeth from significant wearing and are a great option for bruxism
Natural teeth are precious. But if you suffer from Bruxism, maintaining perfectly healthy teeth can be a little difficult. Over time the injury to your teeth may become irrepairable and cause serious complications. Get in touch with us and find preventive measures against the consequences of severe teeth grinding. Halt those risks before they even occur! Talk to us today! or Book Online
About Us
For over 25 years, our practice has been caring for people from Sandgate, Shorncliffe, Brighton, Deagon, Bracken Ridge, Boondall, Taigum, Woody Point, Clontarf, Margate, Redcliffe and other surrounding areas.
Our main priority is to provide affordable, gentle and quality dental care to the Sandgate and surrounding communities.
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