Most people grind and clench their teeth from time to time. Occasional teeth grinding (or bruxism) does not usually cause harm, but when teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis the teeth can become damaged and other oral health complications can arise.
If you find yourself clenching your jaw throughout the day, or you wake up with sensitive teeth, a sore jaw, or a headache, you might suffer from bruxism-grinding, clenching, or gnashing of the teeth.
This teeth-grinding and jaw-clenching habit is a common condition that affects up to one-third of adults in the daytime and more than 1 in 10 in their sleep.
Why do people grind their teeth?
The cause of bruxism is unique to each patient whether physical, psychological, or genetic factors are at play, Dr. Adam says.
Daytime clenching can be triggered by stress, anxiety, tension, or even concentrating too much! Night-time grinding is sometimes related to hyperactivity, sleep apnea, or acid reflux, and can appear as a side effect of certain medications intended to treat depression.
Tobacco, caffeine, alcohol and illicit drugs can increase teeth-grinding risk.
Why is teeth grinding harmful?
Bruxism can cause pain, tooth fracture, headache, and temporomandibular disorders (TMJ Syndrome): muscle problems of the jaw and joints that can inhibit chewing, cause a “clicking” noise and restrict range of motion.
Usually patients seek treatment when the pain spreads to the temples or ears, or if dentist notices wear patterns on teeth consistent with persistent grinding.
“A lot of people don’t realize they’re grinding until they’re told by a sleep partner, or they develop migraines or wake up with sore muscles or stiffness,” Dr. Adam says.
Treatment
Dentists often outfit bruxism patients with nightguards (retainer-like instruments worn in the mouth overnight) to prevent damage to the teeth and mouth, but the device doesn’t stop the grinding.
Based on the patient’s specific symptoms and stressors, physicians may take the following approaches:
Medication: Muscle relaxers can help relax the jaw and stop night-time grinding. If you take certain antidepressants that put you at risk for teeth grinding, a doctor might switch your prescription to one that doesn’t. A doctor might also start you on antidepressants (that don’t come with the risk of bruxism) if the medication could help you cope with stressors that cause you to grind your teeth.
Procedures: Anti-wrinkle product injections paralyse the jaw muscles that are used during teeth grinding. Dr. Adam says the treatment, has been used since the 1950s and is safe, very effective, and doesn’t change the appearance of the face.
Behavioural strategies: Psychologists can work with patients to identify triggers and address them through stress management and relaxation training.
Teeth clinching/ Face sliming injections
anti-wrinkle product is most known as a wrinkle-targeting injection. But it also has other off-label use applications I’ve become acquainted with during my years working in the beauty industry. Many of my patients seem to particularly love masseter muscle injections – a treatment with twofold results. Firstly, depending on your face shape, it can slim your jawline, as an alternative to augmentation with dermal fillers. Secondly, it can prevent you from clenching and grinding your teeth.
What is anti-wrinkle product & how does it work?
Anti-wrinkle product is an exotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. In short, it blocks acetylcholine release from cholinergic nerve endings into the neuromuscular junction. This ultimately reduces the ability for muscles to move and therefore they relax.
This injection blocks specific nerve signals that make your muscles contract. It lasts for about three to six months. People get them in order to relax their muscles and, therefore, temporarily reduce wrinkles (and prevent further wrinkles). But you can also get these injections to treat bruxism.
Treatment for teeth grinding and jaw clenching relaxes the jaw muscles so that you will not involuntarily grind your teeth or clench your jaw. This injection goes into the masseter muscle, which is the large muscle that moves the jaw. It significantly relaxes the muscle to reduce the wear and tear on your teeth and ease any jaw soreness associated with bruxism. It does not, however, weaken your ability to chew, eat, or talk.
If you have any questions – you are welcome to contact Dr Adam Brown Skin & Cosmetics in the most convenient way.
