Do you grind your teeth?
If you find yourself waking up with sore jaw muscles or a headache, you may be suffering from tooth grinding problems, also known as bruxism. It is fairly common. Many people also clench and grind their teeth during waking hours, often when placed under stress.
This grinding and clenching can cause teeth to become painful or loose, and prematurely wear parts of the teeth away. It can also lead to problems involving the jaw joint, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and pains in the muscles of the face, neck, and shoulder. Pain may even be experienced behind the eyes. These disorders are collectively know as TMJD.
Tooth Grinding Treatments
During a consultation and dental examination our Dentist will recommend from the following what are the best options for you.
Cerezen ear device
The Cerezen devices are custom ear canal inserts that support the temporomandibular joint and reduce pain. They also provide a “cognitive awareness” that discourages grinding and clenching. Cerezen devices are barely visible and can be worn during the day as well as at night. They have no interference with eating, talking or hearing. Learn More
For a Free Cerezen consultation with Dr Gilbert please call 028 9032 8765
Mouth guard or MTI Device – worn while sleeping
Custom-made to fit your teeth, a mouth guard slips over the upper or lower teeth and protects them from grinding against the opposing jaw. An appliance like this is a good way to manage bruxism, but it is not a cure.
One of our most popular devices is a mouth splint, the NTI device. It is compact, comfortable to wear and can be customised for you in the surgery during one visit.
Reducing the “high spots” of one or more teeth
As teeth move, ever so slightly, throughout ones life, adjusting the bite can often help. An abnormal bite, one in which teeth do not fit well together, may also be corrected with new fillings, crowns or orthodontics.
The Dentist will also recommend muscle relaxation exercises and behavioural therapies to help prevent teeth grinding.