Bruxism

A common issue that affects up to 80% of the population, the grinding of teeth and clenching of the jaw can cause tooth wear, breakages, pain, limited movement of the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint disorder), migraines and headaches. Most common in adults over 25 years old, the cause is not fully understood, though symptoms often worsen during stressful periods.

Effects of bruxism

Bruxism sufferers are affected in many ways and it can lead to more serious issues, often requiring a dentist’s intervention.

Many symptoms, however, are unlikely to be dental related; often bruxism is left untreated for many years. It is common for patients to turn to their GP and have a magnitude of investigations for other medical conditions, including MRI and brain scans.

Short-term effects of bruxism

• Headaches and migraines
• Facial myalgia (aching jaw & facial muscles – often diagnosed as Atypical Facial Pain)
• Earache, tinnitus and sinus pains
• Stiff neck and shoulders
• Limited mouth opening
• Poor sleep quality
• Sleep disturbance of bed partner due to noise
• Tooth mobility and tooth wear
• Fractured tooth cusps and broken fillings
• Receding and inflamed gums
• Tongue scalloping
• Long-term effects of bruxism
• Prolonged untreated migraines
• Excessive facial muscle tone
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (sometimes called TMJD or just TMJ)
• Clicking or popping jaw joint
• Tooth wear and tooth loss

Long-term effects of bruxism

• Prolonged untreated migraines
• Excessive facial muscle tone
• Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (sometimes called TMJD or just TMJ)
• Clicking or popping jaw joint
• Tooth wear and tooth loss

Treatments for Bruxism

There are many ways to manage bruxism, the most common treatment being occlusal splints (dental appliances). There are other therapies and treatments available, but these are generally seen as less effective. It is becoming more popular for dentists to recommend a more holistic treatment plan. This may include combined treatments with physiotherapists, chiropractors, and sometimes hypnotherapists.

Occlusal splints are generally designed to act as a mechanical separation of the teeth and may be as simple as a soft mouthguard. Other dental treatments may also be considered, such as equilibration (grinding away tooth surface to make the teeth fit together better), orthodontics, or crowns and veneers.

Most common types of Dental Splints

• SCi – Sleep Clench Inhibitor, small splint that fits over the front teeth
• Soft mouthguards – often called ‘bite-raising appliances’
• Michigan or Tanner stabilisation splints – full arch splints
• Nightguards