Teeth grinding or bruxism is an oral parafunctional activity that occurs in some individuals at some point in their lives and often happens while the person is asleep.
Thus, a person is unaware that they are grinding until their partner complains about the noise the following morning.
Teeth grinding is one of the most common sleep disorders. It can be unnoticeable until the signs become recognisable.
Some people grind and clench their teeth and yet remained unaware of its symptoms. Chronic teeth grinding can lead to various dental issues such as malocclusion, tooth loss, and temporomandibular joint disorders.
You can avoid this by seeing your dentist for the right teeth grinding solution.
Teeth grinding is possibly triggered by the following factors:
Tight grinding or clenching of teeth
Difficulty managing stress
Aggressive behaviour
Anger and frustration
Competitiveness
Nervous tension
Sleeping habits
Body posture
Diet
If you frequently grind your teeth, you will notice that the tips of your teeth are starting to become flat and can become extremely worn down. Because of this, the interior of the tooth is exposed, a layer of the tooth which is called dentine. Once the dentine is exposed, your teeth become extremely sensitive. People who suffer from bruxism may also develop inflammation in their temporomandibular joint, a condition that may lead to cracking or ticking of the jaw.
Other symptoms of teeth grinding include:
Tongue indentations
Earache
Jaw pain
Headache
Sleep disorder affecting both yourself and your partner
Sensitivity to hot and cold foods or drinks
If you grind your teeth at night, your dentist at EK Dental Surgery can help you with a night guard. A night guard is a custom-made mouthguard designed to prevent grinding and clenching of teeth. It is a transparent device worn over the teeth’s biting surfaces while you sleep in order to prevent contact between the lower and upper teeth.
Your dentist will take an impression of your upper and lower teeth to get an accurate fit. The impression will be used as a mould. The night guard is crafted out of sturdy, durable plastic. As soon as the night guard is finished, you dentist will properly fit it to your mouth. You will be advised to wear the night guard every time you go to sleep at night.
Prevents neck and facial pain
Prevents migraine pain
Help prevent jaw disorders by alleviating pressure
Prevents bruxism and TMJ disorders
Teeth grinding may put your dental and general wellbeing at risk in the end. Consulting your Glen Waverley dentist at Ek Dental Surgery is a great step to address your bruxism problems and get the solution you need. Learn how our high-quality custom-made night guard is beneficial for your health and how it can help you deal with teeth grinding.
To request an appointment with us, call us on (03) 9887 8787 or make an appointment online.
We are located at 230 Springvale Road in Glen Waverley.
Read some of the many 5-star reviews we’ve received
from happy patients in Melbourne
Can’t see your fund listed below? Don’t worry, we accept most of the major insurance plans. Just
give us a call to find out how we can help you.
