Why choose us for teeth grinding treatment?

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    We offer you the chance to spread the cost of any dental treatment over £500 across 6-24 monthly payments at 0% interest.
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Teeth Grinding & Bruxism

What are the symptoms of teeth grinding?

Some common symptoms include:

  • Dull headache or pain in the temple region
  • Pain or soreness in the jaw
  • Facial muscle tenderness
  • Earache
  • Tooth sensitivity or toothache
  • Broken, chipped, or flattened teeth
  • Dental fillings, veneers or crowns that have worn down or debonded
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Teeth Grinding & Bruxism

Common causes of teeth grinding

There are several factors that can contribute to the development of tooth grinding, including:

Stress and anxiety

Stress and anxiety are common triggers for tooth grinding. When a person is under a significant amount of stress or anxiety, they may unconsciously grind their teeth as a coping mechanism.

Sleep disorders

Sleep disorders, such as sleep apnoea, can also cause teeth grinding. This is because the lack of oxygen and frequent waking during sleep can lead to increased muscle activity, which can include grinding of teeth.

Certain medications

Certain medications, such as antidepressants, have been linked to an increased risk of bruxism. These medications can cause changes in the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to an increase in muscle activity which can cause tooth grinding.

Genetics

Research has shown that tooth grinding can be hereditary. This means that individuals who have a family history of bruxism are more likely to develop the condition themselves.

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What does the treatment for bruxism involve?

The best treatment for your bruxism and tooth grinding will depend on the underlying cause of the condition. Some common methods of managing teeth grinding include:

Stress management

Stress management techniques, such as meditation, exercise, and relaxation therapy, can help to reduce the frequency and intensity of grinding.

Mouth guards

Wearing a mouth guard while sleeping can help to prevent grinding. Mouth guards work by creating a physical barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing them from grinding against each other. At Pearl Dental Clinic, we provide soft night guards, NTi splints, and Michigan splints for management of teeth grinding and bruxism.

The first splint you try is usually a soft night guard, which is also the cheapest option. More severe cases may need an NTi splint or even a Michigan splint. It usually takes a few weeks to get used to wearing a night guard when sleeping at night. Night guards should only be worn when sleeping at night and never 24/7 as that can alter your bite.

Changing medications

If tooth grinding is caused by certain medications, switching to alternative medications may be necessary. You will need to speak to your GP regarding your medication and you should not make medication changes without first consulting your doctor.

Dental treatments

We scan your teeth with an iTero digital scanner so that we have a baseline digital record of your teeth at the present time. Future scans are compared to the current scan and the system will tell us to the micron level if you are still grinding down your teeth. You will need to wear your night guard every night for prevention and to protect your teeth from further tooth wear.

In some cases, dental treatments such as composite bonding and dental crowns may be necessary to repair any tooth wear damage that has occurred. Where possible, we recommend the more conservative treatment option of composite bonding over dental crown treatment. Composite bonding usually lasts around 3-5 years.

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What do our patients say?

Frequently asked questions

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a condition characterised by involuntary clenching or grinding of teeth, typically during sleep but sometimes while awake.

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