Tooth Grinding scientifically known as Bruxism is a very common parafunction involving excessive teeth grinding or jaw clenching. The most common symptoms associated with tooth grinding are teeth hypersensitivity, aching jaw/ facial muscles, migraine headaches, excessive tooth wear and damage to dental restorations (e.g. fillings, crowns, bridges etc). It is not uncommon for the patient to be unaware of the condition, as it often happens when the patient is sleeping, however the effects of bruxism can be both painful and expensive.
There is no ‘cure’ for bruxism, however we can minimise the damage and manage the condition by protecting the teeth with a night guard. There are also specific relaxation exercised that your dentist would advise you about. During your consultation, your dentist will assess your teeth, jaws, neck, muscles and temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and discuss all appropriate treatment options with you
