About Bruxism: Symptoms, Side Effects, Causes

Bruxism is fairly common and some may not even be aware of their own grinding. Some Bruxism symptoms you may suffer from are:

* Teeth grinding
* Waking up with dull headaches
* Jaw soreness
* Facial pain
* Fatigue from lack of sleep

Occasional teeth grinding may not cause any real concerns, but long-term, consistent Bruxism can lead to broken teeth, loss of tooth enamel, and in severe cases, loss of teeth.

Night Guards:

Most cases of Bruxism can easily be treated by wearing a night guard while you sleep. They work by putting a barrier between your teeth. When you clench your jaw, the night guard helps to lighten the tension and give cushion to the muscles in the jaw. This cushioning not only helps to prevent face and jaw pain, but also protects the enamel of your teeth. Mouthguards can be custom-made at our office.

Botox for grinding/clenching:

The researchers reported that shots of Botox into the chewing muscles in the cheek can block the signals that tell these muscles to contract, relieving the grinding and clenching.

For this procedure, a medical professional will inject small amounts of Botox directly into the masseter. This is a large muscle that moves the jaw. Botox won’t cure bruxism, but it can help relax this muscle. Doing so may alleviate teeth grinding and related headaches….Read more