PUBLISHED IN TCI WEEKLY NEWS
January 25th 2014
I’ve recently spoken with several patients who have all been experiencing similar problems with jaw pain & clicking sometimes also connected with aching in the face, head or neck.
Although there are a number of possible causes for this, including injury or disease (such as arthritis) the most common cause is bruxism or the clenching and grinding of teeth. Typically people do this without being aware of it and therefore sometimes the cause of the pain is not immediately obvious.
How do I know if I suffer from bruxism?
It is often the case that people grind their teeth unconsciously at night and it is only when it is highlighted by a partner (often complaining about the horrible grinding noise while sleeping) that they become aware that it is happening. This clenching of the teeth and jaw can also happen whilst you are awake, without you really being aware of it. It is sometimes, although not exclusively, associated with situations in which you find yourself feeling stressed.
The symptoms
This ongoing clenching and grinding inevitably leads to problems. Tightness and tension in the muscles around the jaw joint can give rise to pain, headaches, neck pain and clicking or locking of the jaw. If it continues over an extended period of time it can cause the teeth to become painful, chipped, become loose or literally to get worn away. In extreme cases it can destroy bone and gum tissue. If enamel is getting worn away this leads to the dentine being exposed and further complications, including highly sensitive teeth and an increased propensity to tooth decay and pain.
The treatments
The appropriate treatment for you will depend on what is causing the problem. By asking careful questions and examining your teeth, your dentist will be able to help your determine the potential source of you problem. Once causes such as injury or disease have been ruled out and the diagnosis is bruxism then a first course of action is to have a nighttime mouth guard made.
This is generally a firm, clear plastic device that is custom made for you and covers most of the teeth. Whilst not necessarily stopping the grinding completely it will certainly protect the teeth and will often make the grinding less pronounced.
Another possible treatment that can help is Botox injections. You may have heard of Botox in relation to reducing facial wrinkles but Botox actually works by relaxing muscles. For the treatment of bruxism the Botox is injected into the muscle at the sides of the jaw and works to relax the muscle and so help clenching and therefore the pain subside.
De-stressing
It is also worth saying that stress is often a common factor amongst people that suffer with bruxism. Therefore taking steps to relieve the stresses in your daily life plus making a conscious effort to relax before retiring to bed, for example taking a bath or reading a book, might help you go to sleep in a more peaceful state of mind and therefore less likely to grind your teeth.
If you have any further queries about the topic of bruxism or think you may require a nighttime mouth guard, please contact Mark Osmond Dental Clinic.
