Teeth Grinding in Sunbury – Causes And Treatment Solutions

Teeth grinding in Sunbury is probably more common than you might think. About 50% of the population suffer from this dental problem and around 5% grind their teeth on a regular basis. If you or a family member have a problem with teeth grinding, then our experienced team at Lotus Smiles Dental can help.

So why do people grind their teeth?

Teeth grinding (otherwise known as Bruxism) is something that’s done subconsciously. Because it often occurs during sleep, many people don’t realise they’re doing it until their partner complains of being kept awake by the grinding noise.

Bruxism can occur as a direct result of an action, e.g – when someone is feeling anxious, angry, or concentrating. It can also be caused by lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol, and drug use.

You may also have heard your children grinding their teeth when they’re asleep in bed at night. Usually, it’s nothing to worry about because their teeth and jaws are still growing and most of outgrow the habit by the time they reach their teens.

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Teeth grinding symptoms

Symptoms of teeth grinding include:

  • Facial pain
  • Headache, jaw pain, and earache
  • Waking up with aching teeth
  • Temperature sensitive teeth
  • Jaw ache or stiffness when chewing food
  • Cracked or chipped tooth enamel
  • Raised tissue on the inner cheeks caused by biting

How grinding affects your teeth

When you grind your teeth, it causes the lower and upper teeth to rub against each other. This in turn leads to cracked tooth enamel, above normal wear and tear, broken tooth restorations such as fillings, sore jaw muscles, and strain on temporomandibular joint. It can even lead to a change in your bite.

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Teeth grinding treatment – How our dental team can help

Fortunately, Lotus Smiles Dental provides several different options for bruxism sufferers. Depending on your specific condition, we can repair your damaged teeth. We can also supply you with customised dental mouthguards. Sunbury patients wear these on their upper jaw (usually during the night.) The dental mouthguard or occlusal splint is made from clear acrylic and fits over the biting surface of the teeth, effectively protecting them from damage caused by forceful tooth grinding. While it doesn’t stop the grinding, it allows you to place your jaw in a neutral position which relieves pain on the jaw joint.

We can also recommend other teeth grinding treatment which includes:

  • Relaxation techniques
  • Stress management therapy
  • Regular exercise
  • Cognitive behaviour therapy and,
  • Muscle relaxing injections such as Botox

If you’re in pain and concerned that you may grind your teeth, then come and speak to our friendly experienced dentists. They have a good understanding of bruxism and can offer advice and professional teeth grinding treatment in Sunbury to protect your teeth, relieve your pain, and help you and your partner get a better night’s sleep.

Call our Lotus Smiles dentist today on (03) 8732 7377 to book a consultation or make an online appointment. We look forward to welcoming you to Lotus Smiles Dental.