Teeth Clenching and Grinding Treatment
Bruxism (teeth clenching) and teeth grinding are habits that cause damage to the teeth and muscles, often manifesting through strong jaw movements during sleep. Normally, the teeth of the upper and lower jaws should not come into contact with each other except during chewing and swallowing.
The main causes of bruxism ( teeth clenching) are stress and some gum problems. Unfortunately, stress is a condition of our times and can be difficult to manage. As a result of teeth clenching, negative effects can be observed on the teeth and the lower jaw joint. This can lead to wear, sensitivity, cracks, and in some severe cases, breakages in the teeth. Many patients are unaware that they suffer from this condition, which is also common in society.
As a symptom, white lines may appear on the inside of the cheek, and impressions of the teeth may be seen around the edges of the tongue.
In the case of teeth grinding, wear and flattening can occur on the pointed parts of the teeth, which leads to a reduction in the distance between the tip of the nose and the chin, resulting in a decrease in vertical dimension.
In advanced teeth grinding cases, due to the decrease in vertical dimension, the corners of the lips droop, creating an aged appearance. Additionally, pain may develop in the head, neck, and facial muscles.
If you wake up in the morning with pain in the cheek, temple, neck, or even back, you may be grinding your teeth at night. Although teeth clenching primarily occurs during sleep, it has also been observed in advanced cases during the daytime.
The aim of teeth clenching and grinding treatments is to prevent permanent damage to the teeth and jaw joint and to alleviate pain.
To treat this condition, custom-made night aligners, which are hard and adjusted to fully contact the teeth in the opposite jaw, should be used. The purpose of these appliances is to prevent contact between the teeth during sleep and to protect them from wear.
Night aligners, usually made for the upper jaw, are worn between the upper and lower teeth.
However, night aligners alone are often not enough. Therefore, depending on the patient's condition, additional treatments may be necessary alongside the use of night aligners. These treatments include stress therapy, measures to improve sleep quality, muscle relaxant medications, replacing faulty fillings and crowns, and using prostheses to replace missing teeth.
In addition to night aligners, one of the most commonly used methods for treating teeth clenching today is Botox applications.
Teeth grinding in children is normal and necessary for some growth-related changes. However, if this negative habit continues after the primary teeth have fully erupted, you should consult your doctor.
