Bruxism

Bruxism is excessive clenching or grinding of the teeth that is not part of normal chewing movements, most commonly evident during sleep when you have no conscious control over this action. This can lead to excessive wear on the teeth and may cause permanent damage to the jaw joints and teeth.

Signs include:

• Pain in teeth
• Tooth extra sensitive to hot or cold
• Chronic facial pain
• Tension headaches
• Micro-fractures/ Chipped Teeth
• Flattening and Ware

Bruxism can be caused by:

Physical Stress – such as illness, nutritional deficiencies or dehydration
Physiological Stress – anxiety and tension
Sleep Disorders
Abnormal Anatomy – uneven biting surface can lead to bruxism behaviour

Treatment for Bruxism:

Depending on the severity of the existing ware or damage to the teeth when examined by the dentist, treatment can include the recommendation of counselling for stress management and relaxation methods and restorative measures to repair the wear on the tooth surfaces.

Prevention of further damage to the teeth and jaw joint; a Splint or night guard could be issued by the dentist to cushion and prevent further wear. A splint is a moulded hard plastic that fits over the upper or lower teeth.