4 Facts about Teeth Grinding Treatment: Solutions for Bruxism and Jaw Tension

Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a serious issue that can lead to disastrous oral and general health outcomes. This condition causes headaches, jaw pain, worn-down teeth, and can even disrupt your sleep.

If you leave bruxism untreated, the damage can impact every aspect of your life, damaging your smile and causing persistent pain and mental stress that can lead to health issues such as depression. You can also lose teeth and develop other serious oral health issues.

At Dr. Edward Liu Sedation and Implant Dentistry, Dr. Edward Liu and his team can treat conditions like jaw tension and bruxism using highly effective oral appliance therapy.

1. Understanding Bruxism and Jaw Tension

Bruxism is a condition that can stem from a wide variety of causes, such as:

• Psychological conditions such as persistent anger, anxiety, and other mood disorders
• Substances such as caffeine, alcohol, or recreational drugs
• Medications such as antidepressants like paroxetine and fluoxetine, along with medications used to treat ADHD, such as Adderall.
• You can also inherit bruxism through your genetics.
• Other health issues such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disorder, night terrors, and epilepsy can also cause bruxism.

Bruxism can occur while you are asleep caused by conditions that create “microarousals,” such as sleep apnea. You can also experience teeth grinding during waking hours, often linked to heightened agitation or stress.

Jaw tension can also result from bruxism, as teeth grinding places tremendous stress on the jaw bone and muscles.

2. How Orthodontic Treatments Can Help Reduce Teeth Grinding

An effective treatment Dr. Liu often prescribes to clients struggling with bruxism is a custom-made mouthguard. This appliance fits over your teeth and prevents direct content between your upper and lower teeth. A mouthguard can protect against excessive chipping, wear, and even fractures caused by teeth grinding.

Using a nightguard or bruxism splint can spread the pressure evenly across your mouthguard, reducing stress on certain teeth and TMJs (jaw joints). These appliances can relieve jaw tension and prevent the onset or agitation of TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder).

3. Reducing Jaw Tension with Simple Lifestyle Changes

Dr. Liu may also recommend simple but highly effective lifestyle changes such as exercises, meditation, cognitive behavioral therapies, and diet changes like reducing or eliminating alcohol and caffeine consumption. These minor to major changes can have a major impact, helping to provide immediate and long-term relief.

The truth is that there is no permanent cure for bruxism. But, this disorder can be successfully managed using the right tools. Like any other lifelong condition, it takes daily persistence through forming new routines and habits to keep bruxism in check. Thankfully, Dr. Liu and his team are here to help you during your journey.

4. Find the Relief and Relaxation you Deserve

Pain and discomfort don’t have to be your permanent reality; hope exists. If you’re seeking pain relief from bruxism and jaw tension, call Dr. Edward Liu Sedation and Implant Dentistry at (517) 777-8878 to schedule your consultation today. Every long journey begins with the first step, and we are here to help every step of the way.

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