Bruxism is a common condition in which an individual grinds, clenches, or gnashes their teeth, usually during sleep. It can lead to enamel erosion, dental damage, jaw pain, and chronic headaches. If left untreated, it can cause long-term damage and dysfunction in the jaws and the entire oral cavity. Luckily, bruxism treatment can restore and protect your smile!
At Metropolitan Dental Care in Denver, CO, we offer numerous solutions to address teeth grinding. Protect your smile and explore your treatment options today by calling our team at (303) 534-2626!
From self-care measures to surgery, there are plenty of ways to get lasting relief from teeth grinding. In this post, we explore some of your options for bruxism treatment so that you can make a fully-informed decision about your health.
Self-Care Measures
The first step in treating bruxism is to identify the cause and address any underlying conditions that may be contributing to it, such as:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Personality disorders
Patients can address many of these factors with common self-care measures and stress-management techniques, such as:
- Deep breathing
- Visualization
- Meditation
- Yoga
Additionally, patients should avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine, as these substances can worsen or lead to bruxism.
Mouthguards
Mouthguards (also known as night guards or occlusal splints) are a common and effective treatment for bruxism. Patients can find them at drugstores, or they can have them specially made by a trained dental professional (which is always recommended).
Protective mouthguards fit over the teeth and are worn during sleep to protect the mouth from destructive grinding and clenching. Mouthguards can also help alleviate other symptoms, such as:
- Jaw pain
- Headaches
- Tooth sensitivity
Medications
Primary care professionals may prescribe muscle relaxants and anti-anxiety medications as bruxism treatment to help reduce stress-related symptoms. However, medical professionals usually reserve these medications for severe cases of bruxism. As such, they are not recommended as a first-line treatment.
BOTOX® Injections
Injections of botulinum toxin (commonly known as BOTOX) may be an ideal bruxism treatment for some patients. The toxin works by blocking the nerve signals that cause muscle contractions, which reduces the intensity and frequency of teeth grinding.
Although BOTOX is a toxin, small doses of the protein are harmless to humans. This means that BOTOX treatments may offer speedy and long-lasting relief that other bruxism treatments cannot.
Surgery
In rare cases, some patients may require surgery to treat severe bruxism. Some procedures involve reshaping the biting surfaces of the teeth to establish better contact. Other procedures may require changing the mobility or range of motion of the jaw muscles.
Typically, dentists only consider these procedures when all other treatments have failed. Your dentist will clearly go over the risks and benefits before proceeding with surgery.
Bruxism Treatment in Denver, CO
Bruxism is a common condition that experts estimate affects roughly 16% of American adults. The condition can lead to dental damage, discomfort, and dysfunction. That’s why it’s crucial to address the condition now with the team at Metropolitan Dental Care in Denver, CO.
Request an appointment for bruxism treatment here, or call our team directly at (303) 534-2626.
