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Teeth Grinding Bruxism

Family Dental Group > Teeth Grinding Bruxism
Dentist Focsu Dental

Teeth Grinding Bruxism

Chronic teeth grinding (bruxism) and clenching is terrible for your oral health and well-being. In the dental world, we refer to the condition as parafunctional activities. It can manifest in silent and clenching contact or loud and grating contact. The former is clenching while the latter is grinding. Either form can damage your teeth and increase the risk of other health complications, including persistent headaches and TMJD (temporomandibular joint disorder).

If you’re struggling with grinding/clenching teeth pain and damage, Focus Dental Group can help. Our dental team work with you to identify the signs and the underlying causes and build a custom treatment plan to stop teeth grinding. You also receive help with the associated effects of teeth grinding, including tooth wear and headaches. Ultimately, you restore your smile and peace of mind.

To learn about your options for bruxism treatment in Blackburn North, feel free to contact our dental team today.

What Causes Bruxism?

Whereas there’s no universally accepted cause of bruxism, the condition has been linked to several triggers. The triggers vary among patients, and the dental team at Focus Dental Group work to determine the psychological, physical, or genetic factors at play.

Nighttime grinding, also known as sleep bruxism, is usually attributable to hyperactivity, sleep apnea (breathing difficulties during sleep), and acid reflux. It can also manifest as a side effect of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), commonly prescribed medications for moderate and severe depression.

Daytime grinding (awake bruxism) can stem from stress, anxiety, misaligned teeth, or excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine. It’s particularly prevalent in emotionally draining jobs, such as military, law enforcement, and healthcare.

Diagnosing Teeth Grinding

When you visit our Blackburn dental clinic, our dentist will first investigate for bruxism signs and symptoms, including:

The dentist will ask about your daily routines, overall dental health, sleeping habits, and medications. The evaluation may entail checking for jaw muscle tenderness and dental abnormalities such as missing or broken teeth. You can also expect an X-ray examination if we need to know the condition of the tooth-supporting bone and inside of your cheeks.





    Teeth Grinding Treatment in Blackburn

    Grinding teeth solutions at Focus Dental Group vary with various factors. That includes the cause of the problem, associated effects, overall health and medical history, age, and patient’s response to particular procedures and medications.

    Splints or night mouthguards are the most common dental approaches to clenched teeth. The oral appliances are designed to fit the lower or upper jaw, keeping the teeth separated to prevent damage from grinding or clenching. Different designs are used depending on the cause and history.

    In cases where resulting tooth wear cause extreme sensitivity or compromises proper chewing, a dental correction will suffice. The procedures can range from reshaping or filling your tooth’s chewing surface to repairing tooth damage with crowns.

    While dental restoration, splints, and night guards excel at correcting and preventing tooth wear, they might not stop teeth grinding or clenching. That’s why we incorporate behavioural therapy in our teeth grinding solutions. The approach often involves helping customers practice proper jaw and mouth positions.

    If your grinding relates to stress or anxiety, we will be happy to recommend a licensed counsellor or therapist. Our dentist can also recommend or implement the right solutions for bruxism originating from an underlying medical condition, sleep disorder, or medications.

    Medications also feature in teeth grinding treatment in Blackburn, VIC. Common among them are:

    To learn more about treating and managing bruxism, contact our experienced dentists today at (03) 8838 8600. . Please note we do not store nor prescribe narcotics and these will be done in conjunction with your usual GP.

    Why Choose Focus Dental Group for Bruxism Treatment in Blackburn North, VIC?

    Focus Dental Group is a leading provider of dental services in the Blackburn North, VIC area. Our goal is to provide remarkable experiences in all aspects of dental care.

    Here’s are a few reasons why Blackburn residents trust our dental clinic for teeth grinding solutions.

    Your go-to emergency dental clinic in Blackburn

    Focus Dental Group aims to ease your pain and discomfort in times of emergencies. In case of a dental emergency, we make you our priority. Call our Blackburn emergency dental care clinic on (03) 8838 8600 and book a priority appointment when the need arises. We also offer dental implant, teeth whitening, kid dentistry, invisalign treatment, and more. To know in detail, browse our website.

    FAQ

    Stopping teeth clenching and grinding lies in addressing the underlying cause. If stress is the source of your problem, then you’ll need to learn how to better de-stress. Changing your lifestyle habits (e.g. lessening alcohol consumption) and routinely relaxing the shoulder, facial, forehead, and neck muscles can provide much-needed relief.
    Multiple studies suggest that genetics may be a factor in bruxism. However, no single study has pinpointed the exact genes involved in the behaviour.
    If misdiagnosed or left unaddressed, teeth grinding can put you at risk of the following complications:
    • Tooth damage: Bruxing teeth exerts immense pressure on the chewing surface, increasing the risk of premature wear, cracked teeth, pulp exposure, and heightened tooth sensitivity.
    • Jaw disorders: Clenching and grinding can compromise the structure of your jaw muscles and joints, resulting in TMD (temporomandibular disorders). TMD manifests in severe neck, facial, and shoulder pain and difficulties swallowing, talking, and chewing.
    • Painful headaches: Constant pressure on the jaw and facial muscles can cause headaches.
    The people you live with can tell if you grind your teeth or not, primary due to the noise produced by the behaviour. If you live or sleep alone, check for increased tooth sensitivity, neck, ear, jaw pain, headaches, or THJ discomfort, particularly right after waking up.

    Your dentist will also be able to note wear surfaces on teeth consistent with grinding.

    Contact Us Today

    Do you want to learn more about teeth grinding and how it can be effectively diagnosed and treated? Please reach out to the Focus Dental Group team by dialling (03) 8838 8600 or completing this online form.