Bruxism – a common issue
Bruxism is a dental condition characterized by teeth grinding and clenching, as well as involuntary tension in the lower jaw. Bruxism can occur both during sleep (sleep bruxism) and while awake (awake bruxism).
Bruxism is very common, though somewhat unknown and underdiagnosed. About half of Finnish adults grind their teeth to some extent, and it is estimated that one in ten suffers from pain and discomfort caused by grinding in their daily lives.
Bruxism is best treated at a dental clinic, as making a diagnosis and tailoring an individualized treatment plan require dental expertise. The occlusal system is always examined during a basic dental check-up. A dentist can diagnose bruxism if they observe signs of grinding-related damage in the patient’s mouth and the patient reports symptoms indicative of grinding.
Symptoms of teeth grinding
Bruxism manifests in many ways. Many people seek help when a housemate comments on nighttime grinding and teeth clenching. A night bruxer may not be aware of their grinding, but they almost always notice the pain, aches, and other symptoms caused by it.
You Might Be Suffering from Bruxism If You Experience the Following Symptoms:
- Headaches
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Pain in the chewing muscles
- Jaw tension, clicking, and grinding sounds
- Ear pain and tinnitus
- Gum recession and mouth sores
It is treatable
Bruxism can be treated in various ways. A comprehensive treatment plan tailored from different types of therapies can effectively address bruxism and its associated issues. When planning and implementing treatment, the focus should be on repairing existing damage and preventing further damage.
Bruxism can be treated in various ways. A comprehensive treatment plan tailored from different types of therapies can effectively address bruxism and its associated issues. When planning and implementing treatment, the focus should be on repairing existing damage and preventing further damage.
A bite guard is almost always the primary treatment for teeth grinding. Alongside bite guard therapy, other potential solutions include jaw muscle massage, lower jaw movement exercises and gymnastics, tooth equilibration, medication, and botulinum injections.
Jaw muscle massage
Jaw muscle massage can alleviate headaches, jaw pain, and neck-shoulder issues. The massage can be performed by a trained dental hygienist or dentist, but at Helmiäinen, it is exclusively done by a dental hygienist.
During the massage, the jaw muscles are treated both externally on the face and internally inside the mouth. The treatment also includes massaging the neck and shoulder area, the base of the skull, the floor of the mouth, the head, and the facial area. If necessary, the jaw joint can also be treated.
Jaw muscle massage is most effective when the patient commits to several sessions. Typically, two to four sessions are sufficient. The achieved results can be maintained with home exercises and gymnastics.
Areas Treated
- Facial and head muscles
- Jaw muscles from the outside of the head
- Jaw muscles from the inside of the mouth
Typically, the worst tightness is found inside the mouth. During and as a result of the massage, the muscles soften, and their metabolism increases.
“I am very satisfied with the professional care I received. Additionally, Marianne is friendly and very nice. I will gladly continue seeing her.”
(Feedback, 2023)
Occlusal Splint
An occlusal splint is almost always the primary treatment for bruxism. The splint is a removable plastic guard placed on either the upper or lower teeth. It relaxes the chewing muscles, reduces pressure on the jaw joints, and protects teeth from wear.
Splints are typically worn at night. For those who grind their teeth during waking hours (awake bruxism), using a splint can also be beneficial during tasks requiring concentration.
The occlusal splint works in three ways:
- It protects teeth from wear caused by grinding.
- It keeps the jaw joint space open, preventing joint damage and pain.
- It relaxes chewing muscles, reducing headaches and other bite-related issues.
Each occlusal splint is custom-made to fit the patient’s mouth perfectly.
Occlusal Adjustment and Balancing
When treating bruxism, the initial focus is on relieving pain and relaxing muscles. Once the acute phase, characterized by grinding-induced pains, aches, and tension, is under control, dentists often proceed to correct and balance the bite. This approach helps prevent the recurrence of bite-related issues.
Occlusal balancing involves dental reshaping: the dentist carefully removes tiny fractions of a millimeter from elevated points on the teeth and dental fillings. By optimizing the movement paths of the upper and lower dental arches, the foundations for occlusal splint therapy become favorable.
Occlusal adjustment is a painless orthopedic procedure that corrects the contact points of the upper and lower teeth to withstand loading. Despite the minute adjustments made through reshaping, they significantly prevent and alleviate issues associated with bruxism.