Bruxism is another word for teeth grinding, which is a common problem that studies show affects at least 10% of the population. Many people aren’t aware they are suffering from bruxism because it happens in their sleep or while concentrating, and it may fall to a dentist to notice the typical signs of tooth wear associated with it.
General Dentistry
Signs and Symptoms of bruxism
Our daily lives can be quite stressful, and it is common to hold tension in our muscles as a response to these stressors. Much like holding tension in your shoulders, we also subconsciously hold tension in our jaw muscles and temple areas. Over time, this can result in these muscles becoming larger and stronger from being overworked. Symptoms include:
When someone grinds their teeth regularly the outer layer of enamel is lost, exposing the inner layer of dentin, which can become sensitive. This is one of the typical complaints that causes patients to seek help, or they may notice that their teeth are getting shorter.
What happens in a consultation for bruxism?
Bruxism is multifactorial therefore it is important that the issue is diagnosed correctly by looking at multiple causes. It is likely that management of bruxism will encompass few strategies.
At The Bristol Dental Practice, we take a holistic approach in treating our patients. A Bruxism consultation will cover:
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team of dentists
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Managing Tooth Wear and Bruxism
If bruxism (tooth grinding or clenching) is found to be the main cause of tooth wear, the first step is often to wear a dental splint to help prevent further damage. The ideal option in many cases is a Michigan splint – a precision-made stabilisation splint that requires detailed moulds and measurements. This type of splint is typically provided by specialist prosthodontists.
At The Bristol Dental Practice, Dr Mariya Godsafe has a special interest in tooth wear management and extensive experience using these devices. Dr Devin Vaghela also has a special interest in tooth grinding, TMD, and Dental Sleep Medicine.
We offer a range of evidence-based treatments tailored to your individual needs:
Custom Mouthguards for Teeth Grinding
Occlusal Splints for Bruxism
Masseter Botox Injections for Jaw Clenching
Benefits of treating bruxism at
The Bristol Dental Practice
Referrals for Bruxism
We’re always happy to receive referrals for any of our dental services, we treat routine to very complex cases and we also help extremely nervous patients who require sedation in order to access dental treatment.
