Bruxism is a condition where you involuntarily clench, grind, or gnash your teeth. Often an unconscious mechanism, bruxism can cause tooth damage and jaw pain. By booking a simple checkup at our practice, our experienced team can identify if you have bruxism and recommend the best treatment options, personalised for you. Contact our dental clinic today!
What does bruxism entail?
Are you waking up with an aching jaw or sore teeth?
Occurring while you sleep, nocturnal bruxism is considered to be a sleep-related movement disorder where your jaw experiences repetitive muscle contraction, or you grind your teeth. Nocturnal bruxism can be caused by anxiety or high levels of stress and people with bruxism are more likely to suffer from other sleeping disorders, such as snoring or sleep apnoea.
Unfortunately, if you have nocturnal bruxism, you may be unaware of it (because you’re asleep). If left untreated, complications may develop. However, booking a regular examination with our trusted team (we recommend a visit every six months), will ensure that we detect any signs and symptoms early.
Let’s talk bruxism symptoms
Experiencing any of the symptoms below?
- Jaw clenching when anxious or stressed
- Grounding sounds while you sleep
- Headache, jaw and ear pain
- Pain and stiffness in the face or jaw
- Sensitive teeth
- Worn-down teeth
- Cracked or chipped tooth enamel
- Loose teeth
These may be caused by bruxism, a condition that we can quickly diagnose and treat, right here at Knight Street Dentists.
What’s the best bruxism treatment for me?
Mild bruxism may not require treatment. Many children will outgrow the condition without treatment, and many adults’ symptoms do not require therapy. However, if bruxism is more frequent, severe, and painful, we have a range of options available to treat it.
These may include wearing an occlusal splint (nightguard) or dental correction to repair any damage. If you are struggling with grinding teeth during your sleep, have a quick read on How To Stop Grinding Teeth In Sleep.
