Are you experiencing jaw pain, headaches, or tooth damage?
You may be suffering from bruxism, an involuntary condition that causes teeth grinding or clenching, often while you sleep. This condition can lead to various dental problems, including tooth wear and damage, jaw pain, headaches and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. The good news is we can help, with effective solutions to alleviate the symptoms of bruxism and protect your teeth.
We provide:
Personalised treatment plans, including custom-made occlusal splints, lifestyle adjustments, stress management techniques and muscle relaxing injectables.
State-of-the-art facilities, including advanced dental imaging technology and strict infection control protocols.
Convenient location in Surry Hills, also servicing Redfern, Darlinghurst, Chippendale, Paddington, and Haymarket.
Read about Dr Sue, including her background, qualifications, and integrated approach to your oral health.
Why Do I Grind My Teeth?
Stress and Anxiety: High levels of stress or anxiety can lead to teeth grinding, often occurring unconsciously during sleep.
Sleep Disorders: Conditions like sleep apnea or snoring are linked to bruxism, as the body struggles to maintain proper breathing during rest.
Misaligned Teeth: Uneven bite alignment or crooked teeth can create discomfort, triggering grinding as a compensatory mechanism.
Lifestyle Factors: Excessive caffeine or alcohol intake, smoking, and recreational drug use can increase the likelihood of bruxism.
Treatment Options For Bruxism or Teeth Grinding
After assessing you we will recommend the most suitable treatment plan. This may involve:
Custom-made Occlusal Splint or Night Splint: These oral devices used when you sleep can help protect your teeth from the damaging effects of excessive grinding and clenching and provide massive relief to your jaw joint to prevent TMJ dysfunctions.
Multidisciplinary Approach: Muscle therapy with allied health professionals as well as muscle relaxer injectables such as botox in the associated muscles to alleviate and prevent headaches and jaw disorders.
Stress management techniques: We can provide guidance on relaxation exercises and stress reduction strategies.
Lifestyle modifications: Adjusting your sleep habits and avoiding triggers like caffeine and alcohol can help alleviate symptoms.
Experiencing jaw pain, headaches or tooth damage? Call us on (02) 9699 9522 or use our form to get in touch.
FAQ: Bruxism, grinding/TJM
-
Bruxism can be caused by various factors, including stress, anxiety, misaligned teeth, and certain medications and sleep apnoea.
-
Common signs of bruxism include waking up with jaw pain, headaches, or a tired jaw. You may also experience tooth sensitivity, worn-down teeth, or clicking sounds in your jaw.
-
While you can't completely eliminate bruxism, you can take steps to reduce its severity. Stress management techniques, such as yoga and meditation, can help - as does using a custom made occlusal splint to wear when you sleep. Additionally, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bed can reduce grinding at night while you sleep.
-
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. TMJ disorders involve pain and dysfunction in this joint. This joint can become inflamed or misaligned due to various factors, including stress, teeth grinding (bruxism), arthritis, or injury. Symptoms of TMJ disorder can include jaw pain, clicking or popping sounds, difficulty chewing, and headaches.
-
Injectables such as botox acts as a muscle relaxer which can relieve jaw tension and reduce teeth grinding, therefore alleviating TMJ pain and preventing tooth wear. They act to reduce muscle hyperactivities which prevent spasm and alleviate TMJ pain.