781 Centre Road, East Bentleigh, VIC 3165

East Bentleigh Dental Group
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Teeth Grinding

Teeth Grinding
Combat Teeth Grindingwith Personalised Solutions at EBDG

Stop the Pain of Teeth Grinding
in its Tracks with Effective Treatment

If you continually wake up with a sore jaw and experience other symptoms such as tooth sensitivity, you may be grinding your teeth in your sleep. If left untreated, teeth grinding can lead to tooth damage, headache, jaw pain and other negative effects. Fortunately, East Bentleigh Dental Group offers a number of teeth grinding treatment options in Melbourne to prevent grinding teeth in sleep. If you suspect you might be grinding your teeth, make an appointment at our clinic today. We can help to minimise damage to your teeth and provide relief from the pain and discomfort caused by teeth grinding.

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The Signs & Symptoms
of Teeth Grinding

The Signs & Symptoms
of Teeth Grinding

The Signs & Symptoms
of Teeth Grinding

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Also known as bruxism, teeth grinding is a common affliction that can cause moderate discomfort to the lives of sufferers. Brought about by the grinding of teeth in sleep, painful symptoms can affect the jaw and teeth, making it difficult to talk, chew and speak.

Common signs and symptoms of teeth grinding include:

  • Persistent jaw pain or stiffness, particularly in the morning
  • Unexplained wear, cracks or flattening of teeth
  • Increased tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
  • Frequent headaches, especially starting at the temples
  • Pain or discomfort while chewing, speaking or opening the mouth
  • Clicking, popping or grinding sounds in the jaw
  • Disturbed sleep for both the individual and their partner due to grinding sounds

What Causes a Person to Grind Their Teeth?

Teeth grinding can be caused by a range of different factors, including biological, psychological and external factors. This means everything from genetics and personality traits through to smoking and drinking alcohol can lead to grinding of teeth in sleep. Stress is also a common factor. Your dentist can help to determine what the likely cause of your teeth grinding is and suggest lifestyle changes to minimise its occurrence.

How to Prevent Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding may be prevented by making efforts to reduce stress and anxiety in your day-to-day life. Practicing relaxation techniques can relieve tension, helping to relax muscles and prevent jaw clenching and grinding. Wearing a custom mouthguard or dental splint can also prevent teeth grinding by holding the teeth apart while you sleep.

The Long-Term Effects of Untreated Teeth Grinding

Without treatment, teeth grinding can lead to a range of severe and sometimes irreversible issues. Over time, the constant pressure and friction caused by grinding can result in the erosion of tooth enamel, leaving teeth more susceptible to cavities, cracks and fractures. In extreme cases, the damage can necessitate extensive dental restorations such as crowns or implants.

Untreated bruxism can also lead to other issues such as receding gums and gum sensitivity, as well as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), characterised by persistent jaw pain and difficulty opening or closing the mouth. These complications can severely affect quality of life, making routine activities such as eating and speaking uncomfortable. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to preserve both oral health and overall wellbeing.

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Treatment Options at EBDG – Custom Mouthguards & More

At East Bentleigh Dental Group, we offer a range of treatments in Melbourne to help prevent teeth grinding and alleviate its negative effects on the teeth and jaw. Available teeth grinding treatment options include:

Custom Mouthguards

Worn at night, a custom mouthguard designed for your mouth can absorb the impact of your grinding and prevent damage to your teeth

Gelb Splint

A Gelb splint can assist in relaxing the muscles and changing the position of the jaw to alleviate symptoms of teeth grinding.

Relaxation Techniques

If stress is causing your teeth grinding, you may be recommended relaxation techniques to practice at night before going to bed.

Muscle Relaxants

Muscle relaxants may be prescribed to help relax the muscles in the jaw and prevent teeth grinding.

Why Choose EBDG for Your Teeth Grinding Treatment?

At East Bentleigh Dental Group, we go beyond just treating symptoms, focusing on understanding the underlying causes of teeth grinding to deliver effective and lasting solutions. Our dentists are equipped with advanced diagnostic tools to assess the severity of your condition and determine its root causes, whether stress-related, biological or environmental. We also pride ourselves on creating a supportive and welcoming environment, ensuring that every visit to our Melbourne clinic is a positive experience. With our holistic approach and focus on education, we empower patients to take control of their oral health and minimise the impact of teeth grinding on their daily life.

Home Remedies for Teeth Grinding

To alleviate the tension that causes teeth grinding at home, you may find it useful to try mindfulness or meditation. Gently massaging the jaw, neck and shoulders may also help to reduce tension that leads to grinding.

Experience Relief from Teeth Grinding Today

If you’re seeking relief from the painful symptoms of teeth grinding, make an appointment with East Bentleigh Dental Group today.

FAQs

Explore the answers to common queries about our dental services in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section. From appointment scheduling to post-treatment care, find the information you need to make your dental experience with us smooth and informed.

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Yes, stress is one of the biggest contributing factors when it comes to teeth grinding in sleep. Other causes of night-time grinding can include the consumption of caffeine and the use of certain medications.

You can take steps to stop grinding your teeth in your sleep by minimising consumption of stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine, relaxing your jaw before bed, and holding a warm compress against the area to help loosen tight muscles. Our dentist will be able to recommend further solutions for preventing teeth grinding at night.

No, teeth grinding can occur both during sleep (nocturnal bruxism) and while awake (awake bruxism). Awake bruxism often stems from habits like clenching the jaw due to stress or focus, while sleep bruxism is usually involuntary and harder to control. Both types can lead to similar issues, including tooth damage, jaw pain and headaches.

This can depend on the specific cause of teeth grinding. In some cases, it might be possible to identify a cause that can be treated to stop teeth grinding for good. In other cases, ongoing treatment will be necessary to manage the condition over time.

Grinding your teeth is bad for various reasons. Not only does it cause damage to the teeth itself in the form of worn down enamel and cracks in the teeth, but it can also lead to significant jaw pain and TMD.

As every individual is different, the causes of bruxism can vary from person to person. Some patients may benefit from a medical treatment, and if this is the case, our dentist will recommend a suitable teeth grinding treatment after examining your teeth.

If you’re experiencing tooth pain as a result of grinding, you should make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. A filling or other restorative treatment may be necessary to repair damage done to the teeth. Your dentist can also make a custom mouthguard that can be worn to relieve the pain caused by teeth grinding.

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