Bruxism, one of the most commonly known sleep disorders, occurs with most people at some point in their lives. The two main characteristics of bruxism are grinding the teeth and clenching the jaw. These actions usually occur during a person’s sleeping hours, leaving them unaware of the problem, but occasionally they occur during the day. The most common symptoms of bruxism are earaches and headaches, depression, anxiety, and stress along with chipping of teeth.
Why Should I Seek Treatment for Bruxism?
If left untreated, bruxism can cause seemingly unrelated problems including:
- Gum recession
- Facial pain
- Tooth trauma
- Arthritis
Treatment Options
There are a variety of devices to help treat bruxism:
- Mouthguard – A customized mouthguard can be created from teeth impressions to minimize bruxism. To prevent tooth damage, this appliance is worn at night and must be worn on a long-term basis.
- NTI-tss Device – This device prevents grinding of the rear molars by limiting the contractions of the jaw muscles. It only covers the front teeth and must be fitted at our office.