Did you wake up yet again with a sore, aching jaw or painful teeth? It’s possible you may have a condition called bruxism where you clench and grind your teeth.
What is Bruxism?
This is generally a nocturnal habit and teeth grinding can be quite noisy. Without proper treatment, bruxism can cause damage to your teeth. They may become chipped or cracked and in the worst cases may be worn down to stumps.
How is Bruxism linked to TMJ?
Bruxism also affects your jaw joints, called temporomandibular joints (TMJ), due to the tremendous pressure caused by clenching and grinding. When this occurs, your jaw joints may become sore and inflamed and you could notice it is painful to open or close your mouth, or that your jaw makes an unpleasant clicking or popping sound. This problem is called TMJ disorder or TMD and the pain caused can spread into your neck and shoulders or may even result in chronic headaches.
How can Helix Dentistry treat Bruxism and TMJ?
If you suspect you might have bruxism or have noticed any of the symptoms associated with this problem, please get in touch with us. Our dentist can soon diagnose if you have bruxism and TMJ and often it can be simply treated with a custom-made night guard. This is made from a tough thermoplastic material and will usually fit over your upper teeth so your lower teeth glide harmlessly against them, preventing you from clenching and grinding.
