Bruxism & Teeth Grinding Treatment in Scottsdale, AZ
Do you often wake up feeling tired, with jaw or facial pain, or experiencing tension headaches? Bruxism — and night bruxism in particular — is a common cause of such symptoms. People afflicted with the condition involuntarily grind their teeth and clench their jaws while they sleep. Many people go years without realizing there is an issue and often discover it when brought to their attention by a bed partner. If you experience any of the above symptoms on a regular basis, it’s important to discuss it with your dentist. Left untreated, bruxism can seriously damage your teeth in addition to reducing your quality of life through diminished sleep and unnecessary muscle discomfort, and oral pain. Dr. Jeffrey D. Clark can evaluate you for bruxism at his North Scottsdale office and, if you suffer from it, help you determine the root cause and prescribe treatment.
Understanding Bruxism
Bruxism is a broad term that covers a range of parafunctional activities involving the teeth and jaw. These actions include grinding, clenching, gnashing, and gritting, but the specifics of the condition vary from one person to the next. Many people only experience bruxism while they sleep, but there is awake bruxism as well. Bruxism has many causes, including a misaligned bite and unmitigated stress, and the current estimate is that 20 percent of people in Scottsdale and throughout the U.S. suffer from some form of the condition. In addition, Mayo Clinic research indicates that people who suffer from nocturnal bruxism are more prone to other sleep-related disorders, including snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.
Your teeth and jaw are integral to speaking, chewing, and a wide range of other critical activities. If bruxism remains undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to:
- Dental damage
- Chronic fatigue
- Chronic headaches
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
What Are the Treatments for Bruxism?
Treatments vary depending on how severe the parafunctional activities are and the type of symptoms that manifest. Consider that bruxism can be a symptom itself. If your bruxism is caused by a sleep disorder, for instance, it may be best to diagnose and treat the sleep disorder first. In many cases, the bruxism will cease once the sleep disorder has been remedied. If, on the other hand, stress is the cause, then stress reduction and coping techniques may be all that is needed to cure the bruxism.
If malocclusion — a bad bite — is the cause, then either orthodontic treatment, such as Invisalign clear braces, or a custom night guard may be recommended. A custom dental night guard, which is available at Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence, is an acrylic mouthpiece that cushions the force of activities related to bruxism and prevents dental damage. If you require a night guard, Dr. Clark will form the guard to your particular mouth so that all of the teeth make contact in their resting position. This allows your oral muscles to relax, which is important to mitigate clenching and grinding forces.
Bruxism Splints: Brux-eze & Rem-e-deze
Rem-e-deze and Brux-eze are among the most popular and effective bruxism splints available, and both are available to patients at Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence. These splints help to mitigate the grinding and clenching, as well as all of the symptoms manifested due to them. In addition, the heat-cured acrylic will protect your natural teeth along with any cosmetic restorations you may have. Brux-eze is intended for the average bruxism sufferer and made with elasticized acrylic. Rem-e-deze is made from a stronger acrylic material in order to provide the protection that heavy bruxers require.
Overcome Your Bruxism and Improve Your Quality of Life
Bruxism is a potentially serious condition, and if there are any indications that you may have it, you owe it to yourself to get screened by a dentist as soon as possible. Jeffrey D. Clark, DDS, is a leading cosmetic dentist in Scottsdale with substantial experience diagnosing and treating bruxism. Dr. Clark offers a wide range of treatments, including custom-fit mouthguards. Schedule your appointment today by calling Scottsdale Cosmetic Dentistry Excellence at 480 585 1853.
