Bruxism is the grinding of the teeth sub-consciously and involves excessive clenching of the jaw. Clenching or grinding of the teeth is common amongst most people, particularly during sleep. This can be cyclical, often relating to periods of stress or anxiety. However, some people clench or grind their teeth for most of their lives for little known reason.

Bruxism can result in pain in the teeth and increased sensitivity, pain in the jaw, orofacial pain and a build up of lactic acid in the muscles around the jaw. The secondary effects of bruxism include headaches, neck pain and migraines. Often people will wake up in the morning with a saw and tired jaw, which makes eating hard and chewy foods particularly difficult.

If bruxism is left untreated, it can cause severe wearing of the teeth and may even lead to breakages in the teeth. To fix this, the teeth will then require crowns or even root canal therapy.

While bruxism cannot be stopped, the impact that it has on the teeth can be reduced and wear prevented with the use of an appliance called a splint. This splint is worn at night, as most people grind during their sleep, it protects the teeth by providing a barrier between the teeth.

For any additional information regarding bruxism or the treatment options available, contact the friendly staff at Hugh Fleming Dentistry on 02 9960 8977.

Please be aware that each case must be assessed individually by the dentist.