Bruxism, Grinding & Clenching

BRUXISM

Bruxism or as we know it "grinding" and clenching are parafunctional activities, characterised by our teeth grinding over each other in a rubbing motion or squeezing tightly together and are classified as sleep disorders.

Every person at some stage in their lifetime will brux or clench,  however when it is a daily habit it becomes detrimental to the integrity of our teeth.

Bruxism and clenching are usually nocturnal habits, however some people do grind or clench their teeth during the day in times of physical and psychological stress (stressors are either physical or psychological).

Signs and symptoms can include; tired or sore jaw muscles, headaches, tight neck muscles, generalised ache in teeth or sore to bite teeth together and small chips in the biting edge of teeth.

If grinding or clenching habits are allowed to continue without dental intervention, teeth can become shorter and worn down, our teeth may crack and chip and in extreme instances the nerve inside the tooth may become traumatised or inflammed which may require root canal therapy.

Treatment for bruxism involves reducing or eliminating the stressors in your day to day life to improving the quality of your sleep.  To prevent your teeth from becoming chipped, broken or worn down at Drummoyne Dental Care we recommend to our patients to have MCI or occlusal splint constructed especially for them to protect there teeth at night during sleep.

 To find out more about MCI or occlusal splints please call the practice on 02 9819-6677