Dr. Amit Shah is trained in treating Bruxism. My Creative Smiles can help relieve and reduce the clenching jaw behavior.

Could You Suffer from Bruxism?

You may have bruxism if you find yourself unconsciously clenching your jaw during your waking hours or grinding your teeth at night while you sleep. While most people occasionally clench their jaw during times of high stress or concentration, bruxism occurs so often that its presence is evidenced by a characteristic tooth wear and jaw pain.

It may be caused by stress, anxiety, sleep apnea or certain drugs and medications. Bruxism causes damages to teeth and will lead to getting dental crowns.

This is not an uncommon disorder, and it can occur in both children and adults. There is no prescribed cure for bruxism, but treatments such as mouth guards to reduce tooth grinding, jaw posture modifiers to relieve sleep apnea and anxiety reduction techniques are often successful at providing relief and reducing the behavior

Treatments for Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

Splints and mouthguards constructed of hard acrylic or soft materials can be placed over the upper and lower teeth to prevent teeth from clenching and grinding. Braces and oral surgery also correct alignment issues that may cause bruxism, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth may need to be manually reshaped or covered with crowns. Stress management therapies prevent stress-induced bruxism with strategies and counseling that encourage relaxation.

Our dentists can show you the proper way to position your mouth and jaw as behavior therapy for bruxism, and biofeedback therapy helps you control jaw muscle activity by using a machine with monitoring equipment and procedures. Medications are sometimes used to treat bruxism, but they aren’t the most effective. A muscle relaxant can be taken for a short period of time before bedtime, and Botox injections can possibly help those suffering with a severe case of bruxism that doesn’t respond to other treatments.

Avoiding stimulating substances, reducing stress at night and taking an overall care to practice good sleeping habits can prevent as well as treat bruxism. In some cases, bruxism is the cause of a side effect or medication, in which case the bruxism can be solved simply by switching medications.

Contact us for more information on the cost and how to treat Teeth Grinding/Bruxism.

Bruxism/Teeth Grinding – FAQs

It’s beneficial to cut back on caffeine, alcohol, and sweets. Remember to get plenty of sleep and drink water. “Occlusal splints” (dental guards) may also be prescribed by our dentist. Biofeedback, specific medications, and botox injections are all viable options and should be explored in detail with one of our dental professionals.
It’s important for one to receive treatment for this condition as soon as possible. With proper support, people can eventually break the habit. However, the quality of life for sufferers of Bruxism is likely to be compromised if the condition is not addressed early on.