Teeth Grinding Treatments in Port Melbourne
Are you tired of waking up with a sore jaw or a headache that feels like you’ve been sleeping on a rock? You might be dealing with teeth grinding, also known as Bruxism.
Whether it’s caused by stress and anxiety or simply an old habit, teeth grinding can become a major problem left untreated. While unintentional grinding on and off may not harm your teeth, chronic grinding can wear down your teeth and leave you in pain.
At Port Melbourne Dental, we offer teeth-grinding treatments to help you manage this condition so you can say goodbye to feeling exhausted and unrested in the morning.
Signs and Symptoms of Bruxism
Teeth grinding often occurs while you’re sleeping, leaving you blissfully unaware of what’s happening (except for feeling like you’ve run a marathon upon waking).
That is why it’s important to be aware of the signs of teeth grinding:
- Headaches and shoulder or ear pains
- Toothaches (especially after waking up in the morning)
- Soreness and difficulty opening your jaw
- Stiffness of the face and around your temples just after waking up
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
- Clenching of the jaw when angry, anxious or concentrating
- Loose or broken teeth
- A feeling of exhaustion even after a full night’s sleep
Even if you remain blissfully unaware of this condition and its symptoms, don’t worry because our dentists will be able to spot the telltale signs of teeth grinding during your 6 monthly general check-ups.
What are the Causes of Teeth Grinding?
When it comes to the causes of teeth grinding, it’s impossible to point fingers in one direction as there is a range of factors that can cause teeth grinding, such as:
- High levels of stress and anxiety
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Caffeine consumption
- Certain medications like antidepressants
- Recreational drugs like cocaine and amphetamines
- Medical conditions like Parkinson’s disease, dementia, sleep apnoea, and ADHD
- Family history of bruxism
Teeth Grinding Treatments at PMD Dental
Occlusal Splints
Also known as a bite splint, an occlusal splint is a mouthguard worn at night to protect your teeth from the harmful effects of teeth grinding.
Made from a hard plastic, these splints are custom-made to fit over the upper or lower teeth. In addition to acting as a barrier between your upper and lower teeth, these splints can relieve stress and strain surrounding your face, mouth and jaw joints resulting from grinding.
While wearing a night splint won’t stop you from grinding and clenching your teeth, it will surely protect your teeth from wearing down and help you drift off to sleep better.
Relaxation Techniques
Since tension and stress are linked to teeth grinding, you can try relaxation techniques and exercises to manage the condition. Whether it’s meditation, yoga, breathing exercises or counselling, finding what works for you can be a game changer when managing stress-related teeth grinding.
Dental Treatments
If teeth grinding has caused damage or sensitivity to your teeth, or if a misaligned bite contributes to teeth grinding, we will consider treatments such as dental crowns or fillings and orthodontic treatments to keep your teeth safe.
Mandibular Advancement Splints (MAD)
Also known as a Mandibular Repositioning Device, these are custom-made oral appliances fitted over your top and bottom teeth. They work by pushing your jaw forward to open up your airways in order to put a stop to snoring and manage sleep apnoea.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes such as reducing your alcohol and caffeine intake, quitting smoking and learning how to manage your stress levels may also help manage this condition.
Botox
Guess what? Turns out Botox isn’t just for smoothing out fine lines. This muscle relaxant can relax the muscles in your jaw, giving you a break from involuntary grinding and clenching.
Left untreated, bruxism can have adverse effects and result in gum recession and tooth loss. It can even make it difficult to perform basic functions like biting into an apple.
So, don’t wait until it’s too late to take action.
Whether it’s night splints, making certain lifestyle changes or getting Botox, there are many options that could help with teeth grinding. Our team at PMD Dental will help you find the solution that works best for you.
Put an end to those sleepless nights – give us a call at (03) 9646 5100 or schedule an appointment online.