Bruxism is the official term used to describe the clenching and grinding of teeth. In this article Dakabin Dental, your most trusted dentist north lakes, will explain the ins and outs of bruxism treatment and how you can put a stop to the potential damage caused by this destructive habit.

What problems can bruxism cause?

Here are just a few of the possible effects of bruxism:

• Jaw pain or tenderness from overworking the muscles.
• Popping or clicking within the jaw.
• Tooth pain, neck pain, facial pain and headaches.
• Keeping your partner awake with grinding noises while you are asleep.
• Fracturing of tooth enamel, wearing down of teeth, or even loose teeth.
• Temporomandibular joint disorder or other issues with the jaw joint.

The issues described above are often the symptoms that help people to realise that they need bruxism treatment. However, some people do not experience any symptoms and it is occasionally the dentist near me who can tell that someone is grinding their teeth unawares, just by looking at the patterns of wear during a dental examination.

How can I stop myself from clenching and grinding my teeth?

Your Dakabin dentist, dentist Redcliffe or Kallangur dental surgery will be able to advise on which treatment method is most appropriate to you. Some methods focus on stopping bruxism, whereas others focus on reducing the damage that it can cause. Depending on your circumstances, your North Lake Dentist may recommend:

• Reducing stress levels in your life. This may be through conscious lifestyle choices, reducing your workload, or changing your thinking. It could be through active self care such as fitting in more exercise, reading or watching your favourite TV program.
• Wearing a custom mouthguard or dental mouthguard at night, which may sometimes be referred to as a bite guard, a bite plate or even an occlusal appliance. This can be custom made by a dentist near me to fit your teeth perfectly. This method is effective but can take a few nights to get used to.
• Grinding and clenching are occasionally caused by an uneven bite. In extreme cases, a procedure called reductive or additive coronoplasty may be considered to level out the bite and stop the grinding habit.
• Exercises, botox and biofeedback are sometimes also involved within bruxism treatment strategies.
• Damage that has been caused by your teeth may be able to be corrected with dental crowns, dental bridges, dental fillings, or full mouth rehabilitation. Your dentist Redcliffe will be able to undertake a thorough exam and advise on the best approach.

If you are suffering from bruxism and require the assistance of a Dakabin dentist, contact Dakabin Dental today on (07) 3888 7752 to put an end to your teeth grinding or teeth clenching.

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