Bruxism
Bruxism is a condition in which you grind, gnash or clench your teeth. If you have bruxism, you may unconsciously clench your teeth when you’re awake (awake bruxism) or clench or grind them during sleep (sleep bruxism). Sleep bruxism is considered a sleep-related movement disorder.
Evaluation of bruxism problems.
If you have any signs, your dentist looks for changes in your teeth and mouth over the next several visits to see if the process is progressive and to determine whether you need treatment.
Determining the cause
If your dentist suspects that you have bruxism, he or she tries to determine its cause by asking questions about your general dental health, medications, daily routines and sleep habits.
Evaluating bruxism
To evaluate the extent of bruxism, your dentist may check for:
- Tenderness in your jaw muscles
- Obvious dental abnormalities, such as broken or missing teeth
- Other damage to your teeth, the underlying bone and the inside of your cheeks, usually with the help of X-rays
A dental exam may detect other disorders that can cause similar jaw or ear pain, such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, other dental problems or health conditions.
Types of bruxism
Sleep bruxism is considered a sleep-related movement disorder. People who clench or grind their teeth (brux) during sleep are more likely to have other sleep disorders, such as snoring and pauses in breathing (sleep apnea).
Mild bruxism may not require treatment. However, in some people, bruxism can be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth and other problems.
Because you may have sleep bruxism and be unaware of it until complications develop, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms of bruxism and to seek regular dental care.
Symptoms of bruxism.
Signs and symptoms of bruxism may include:
- Teeth grinding or clenching, which may be loud enough to wake up your sleep partner
- Teeth that are flattened, fractured, chipped or loose
- Worn tooth enamel, exposing deeper layers of your tooth
- Increased tooth pain or sensitivity
- Tired or tight jaw muscles, or a locked jaw that won’t open or close completely
- Jaw, neck or face pain or soreness
- Pain that feels like an earache, though it’s actually not a problem with your ear
- Dull headache starting in the temples
- Damage from chewing on the inside of your cheek
- Sleep disruption
When to see a dentist for bruxism?
See your dentist or doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed above or have other concerns about your teeth or jaw.
If you notice that your child is grinding his or her teeth — or has other signs or symptoms of bruxism — be sure to mention it at your child’s next dental appointment.
Dr Singh has been trained to analyse the bruxism problem in Florida, America. A thorough teeth examination reveals the problem.
“I had worn teeth which were sore. Dr Singh said it was due to the enamel being worn away and nerve dentine being exposed. He built my teeth up using bonding and crowns and then made a night guard. It has helped reduce the sensitvity and discomfort in my teeth.” John
What causes it?
These problems have many contributing factors such as stress. Stress comes from our daily lives. Now days we are asked to work more and do more daily. The brain then has to destress when we sleep. Consequently the jaw grinds the teeth and fillings to shorter heights while we sleep.
How is it treated?
Dr Singh is fully trained to diagnose these bite problems and treat them. He uses ‘Bite therapy’ and bite adjustment. Not many dentist know how to to do this properly. And if not done using certain indicators then many patients have seen further problems with their condition. Dr Singh has not had one patient say their jaw has got worse.
The therapy involves wearing a specialised (Hard Night guard) stabilisation splint. This is carefully fabricated and adjusted to relax the chewing muscles and place the jaw joint in a comfortable position to allow it to heal properly.
Certain restorative treatment may be required to correct the bite and make the teeth longer.
“My teeth had become shorter in length and senstive. Dr Singh advised that I wear a night guard to protect my teeth from wearing down due to my grinding. Thank you for helping me get better.”
Hannah
Other approaches for bruxism
One or more of these approaches may help relieve bruxism:
- Stress or anxiety management. If you grind your teeth because of stress, you may be able to prevent the problem by learning strategies that promote relaxation, such as meditation. If the bruxism is related to anxiety, advice from a licensed therapist or counselor may help.
- Behavior change. Once you discover that you have bruxism, you may be able to change the behavior by practicing proper mouth and jaw position. Ask your dentist to show you the best position for your mouth and jaw.
Thorough Bite Problem Analysis and Treatment
In summary, careful planning and analysis will allow the treatment to be designed around your individual needs.
The facial muscles and jaw joints are all part of a system that is controlled by the brain. Because Dr Singh has a detailed understanding of this system, he can detect specific reasons that cause harmful bite pattern and head and neck pain.
When muscles and joints do not work properly, the muscles will often tire. The tiredness can become part of a cycle that results in tissue damage, pain, muscle tenderness and spasm.
Although accidents involving injuries to the jaw, head, or neck, or diseases such as arthritis may result in some bite problems, Using detailed bite evaluation we can diagnose any discrepancies with your bite. We also use it to get the accuracy of newly fitted restorations 100% correct to make your restorations last longer.
We have helped hundreds of patients.
Ring Today to get specialised treatment.
Call us today on
For the smile you have always wanted
GET IN TOUCH
Practice Services
- Team members willing to take the time to understand what you want and help you get it
- A friendly atmosphere
- Custom designed crowns for the smile you have always wanted
- Conscious sedation for stress free appointments
- Comprehensive implant treatment from single tooth to advanced reconstruction
- Comprehensive care for your gums from regular cleanings to advanced surgery
- Modern, fast root canal treatment
- Long term financing for qualified applicants
- Huge parking lot with easy access
- Mercury free tooth coloured fillings
- In-office whitening for quick results
- Cosmetic dentistry for beautiful smiles
- Removable braces