In addition, home care tips can make it easier to cope with sleep bruxism. If you have pain in your mouth, jaw, or neck from grinding your teeth, you should talk with your doctor or dentist. Sleep bruxism can cause serious harm to your oral and sleep health, and a health professional can help prevent more serious problems down the road. A doctor or dentist can also identify if your teeth grinding occurs alongside other conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea OSA or gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD , which may require further testing or treatment.
Nighttime teeth clenching and grinding can put strain on the mouth and jaw and aggravate muscles in the neck. Decreasing this pain can be an important part of treatment for sleep bruxism. Several home care tips can help prevent and address irritation of the teeth, jaw, and neck from sleep bruxism:. Several mouth exercises can help reduce pain and improve range of motion in the jaw.
One exercise that has been shown to relax the muscles involved in teeth grinding follows these steps:. A few minutes of these exercises several times per day may help relax and stretch the muscles involved in tooth grinding and clenching. To develop a specific exercise routine, talk with your doctor or dentist. A referral to a physical therapist can provide an opportunity to work hands-on to create a regimen of mouth exercises.
This can ensure that you do the exercises properly to avoid injury and get the maximum level of muscle relaxation. Some patients benefit from head-and-neck massages to relieve muscle tension and pain points related to teeth grinding. A massage therapist or physical therapist may provide massage or demonstrate techniques that can be used at home to relax the jaw and nearby muscles. Not everyone with sleep bruxism needs treatment, but when there are frequent symptoms of morning headaches and jaw pain, unrefreshing sleep, or risk for long-term damage to teeth, a number of treatment options may be considered.
Mouthguards, sometimes called night guards or dental splints, are worn during sleep to combat teeth grinding. Some mouthguards also place the jaw in a slightly open position, allowing the masseter muscles chewing muscles to relax all night.
Another type of mouthpiece is a mandibular advancement device MAD , which is best known for its use to reduce chronic snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea. A MAD is held in place by the teeth and positions the lower jaw forward, helping to keep the airway open and in some cases limiting the extent of teeth grinding. This is typically used when bruxism is present with sleep apnea. Some mouthguards and MADs are available over-the-counter and can be adjusted to fit your mouth, but many patients get custom mouthpieces that are molded by a dentist.
Stress is a common contributor to teeth grinding , so relaxation techniques are a natural approach to help. Employing relaxation methods can be a big part of sleep hygiene , and getting better sleep can empower a person to respond to stress in a healthier way.
In certain refractory and severe cases that persist despite conventional treatment, medications may be considered by a healthcare professional.
Medications for bruxism may not be effective, and all have potential side effects. Several types of medications, including botox injections, may be considered when teeth grinding is severe. These medications work by trying to decrease activity in the facial muscles. Discuss the risks and benefits of bruxism treatment options with your healthcare provider prior to starting treatment.
Bed partners are often distracted by the noise of teeth grinding and have a hard time getting the sleep they need. Several steps may help avoid this disruption and sleep better:. Eric Suni has over a decade of experience as a science writer and was previously an information specialist for the National Cancer Institute. You might be unknowingly clenching your jaw at night in your sleep. But why do I clench my jaw so much?
Tightness in the jaw can be the result of a number of reasons including, stress or anxiety, bruxism, excessive chewing, TMJ disorders and more, which we will discuss later on. Now you might be wondering, is it bad to clench your jaw? TMD is generally caused by a dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint which causes pain in the jaw joint and the surrounding muscles. This particular joint is one that allows you the range of motion needed to chew food, yawn and speak.
One of the most common causes of muscle tension and jaw clenching is stress and anxiety. Over time, this can cause facial muscles to tighten up, or worse, lead to more serious dental problems such as cracks, wear and even loss of tooth. There can be multiple reasons why you might be grinding your teeth including stress, anxiety, anger, frustration or tension, depression and sleep disorders.
It can also be related to heavy consumption of alcohol and caffeine. Bruxism or teeth grinding is generally found more frequently in people who snore or suffer from some form of sleep apnea and in people who regularly smoke, drink alcohol, use recreational drugs and caffeine.
RA is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder which affects muscles and joints throughout the body, this includes inflammation of the temporomandibular joint TMJ. Inflammation of the jaw joint can make it difficult or painful to open your mouth, and may cause damage to the joint and surrounding tissues, possibly even bone loss in the jaw. Just like any other joint or muscle in your body, excessive use will cause some pain or discomfort and result in jaw tightness.
Here is how to chew your food. Tetanus is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that produces toxins which cause painful muscle contractions in the abdomen, neck and jaw and trouble swallowing. It is highly recommended that you seek immediate medical assistance if you suspect you may have tetanus. Jaw joint stretches and facial exercises can help relieve tightness in the jaw and increase range of motion.
This will help stretch and relieve muscle tightness of the jaw and neck. Next, place your fingers on the top of your front four bottom teeth and slowly pull down until you feel a slight discomfort on the tight side of your jaw. Hold this position for 30 seconds and then slowly release your jaw back to the starting position. Muscle deterioration can occur with the overworked muscles of the jaw. This can sometimes require neuromuscular therapy to restore the health of the muscles.
Adjunct therapies such as physiotherapy, chiropractic, botox and acupuncture have been found beneficial for such patients. We are seeing more and more clients developing clenching or grinding habits when experiencing stressful situations in life. If you are one of them, have a chat with us!
Our Bite Dentists can do a comprehensive exam, assess the jaw joint, review the symptoms, and organise a pathway to help you manage the issue. This involves a consultation with a dentist, a full check-up exam, and any necessary x-rays. You are also able to discuss your smile and whitening goals. Get directions 07 Opening Hours Monday:.
Contact us today. Book An Appointment Online. Why am I clenching my jaw? And how do I stop?
0コメント