Oral health guide30/03/20266 min read

Treatment for teeth grinding

Awakening with jaw pain, tenderness in the teeth or severe headaches has become the routine of too many people. I understand perfectly how frustrating it is to live with these discomforts that affect your rest and your day-to-day. ODONTOFAMILYWe know you need one. solution for bruxism This is why, from our clinics in Bilbao and Getxo, we have prepared this guide to help you understand your problem.

Looking for a trusted dentist in Bizkaia? In ODONTOFAMILY We have clinics located in Bilbao and Las Arenas (Getxo). We are specialists in integral dentistry, orthodontics, dental aesthetics and implantology. Our team offers you personalized treatments with the most advanced technology. If you live nearby and need a review, ask for your first evaluation appointment with us!

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What is bruxism?

Bruxism is a disorder of the chewing system that consists of tightening or gnashing teeth Inadvertently. It is not a disease itself, but the physical reflection of an overload of tension, stress or a problem in the way you bite. Many people do not know that they suffer until they come to our office and detect wear on the enamel.

Types of bruxism

To give you the right treatment, in ODONTOFAMILY we first need to diagnose what type of habit you have:

Night Bruxism or Sleep

It is the most common and the most difficult to control for yourself, as it occurs unconsciously. Tightening your teeth when you sleep subject your jaw to enormous pressures, causing you to wake up with great muscle fatigue on your face and neck.

Day or vigil Bruxism

It occurs while we are awake. It usually appears at times of high concentration, work stress or emotional stress (opposite the computer, driving or studying). It is a more conscious squeeze than the nocturnal.

Central Bruxism

In this case, the patient squeezes the teeth at the same fixed point, without friction to the sides. Although it does not produce such obvious dental wear at first, it generates a lot of muscle tension and cervical pain.

Mandibular Brussels

All types involve the jaw, but this term is used when the disorder is severely focused on the chewing muscles, leading to blockages or difficulty opening and closing the mouth normally.

Eccentric Bruxism

Here there are lateral friction movements. It is the type that generates the most aggressive wear on the enamel, leaving the teeth smooth, short and extremely sensitive.

Bruxism causes

This disorder is multifactorial and usually triggered by:

High levels of daily stress and anxiety.
Malocclusion (your upper and lower teeth do not fit well).
Sleep disorders, such as apnea
Frequent use of stimulants (coffein, tobacco).

Consequence of bruxism

If not slowed down in time, the consequences are painful and costly to repair: dental fractures, massive enamel loss, severe problems in the temporomandibular joint (TMA) and gum retraction.

treatment for bruxism in Bilbao

Bruxism symptoms

Your body always warns. The most characteristic symptoms for which our patients come to our clinics include:

Headache due to bruxism

A constant and deaf pain in the area of temples or tension headaches, almost always more intense just get out of bed.

Dental wear due to bruxism

Your teeth lose their natural shape, being flattened, transparent on the edges or chipped. This triggers sensitivity when you take cold or hot things.

Articulation problems (TMA) due to bruxism

You feel clicks or noises when you open or close your mouth, pain right in front of your ears, or even notice that your jaw is “boxed”.

Child Bruxism

It is very common to think that this is an adult thing, but bruxism in children is a reason for daily consultation in ODONTOFAMILY.

Bruxism in children aged 3 to 6

At this age, grinding the teeth at night is usually a completely normal physiological process. The child's body uses this brush to stimulate the growth of the maxillary bones and make room for the final teeth. Unless there is extreme wear or pain, it disappears alone. Are you worried about your little boy's wear and tear? Ask for an appointment at ODONTOFAMILY and our pediatric dentists will review his case.

How to Treat Bruxism

Being completely honest: there is no magic pill that eliminates root bruxism, because it is usually linked to your rhythm of life and stress. However, the goal of our dentists is to stop dry damage, relax your muscles and return your quality of life by exploring the best. bruxism solutions.

Treatment for teeth grinding

In ODONTOFAMILY we do not believe in standard solutions; we customize the approach according to your degree of condition. The most effective options we apply in clinic are:

Downloading ferula for bruxism

It is the star treatment and the first recommendation. It is a rigid, transparent and manufactured device to the exact measure of your mouth. discharge splint for bruxism relaxes the joint and acts as an indestructible protective shield, preventing your teeth from clashing at night.

Ferulas for bruxism price

It's normal for you to worry about the cost. splints for bruxism It depends on the materials and the previous occlusal study. Look at it from this perspective: it is a health investment that will save you thousands of euros in implants or crowns in the future.

Botox for bruxism

For the most severe cases where muscle tension is unbearable, botulinum toxin infiltration into the masseter muscles is a great medical option. It relaxes muscle strength temporarily without affecting your ability to chew.

How to avoid bruxism?

Prevention requires you to do your part with small changes to your routine:

Apply relaxation and disconnection techniques before sleeping.
Avoid coffee or tea in the afternoons.
Make soft stretches of neck and jaw.
Come to your annual reviews. It's the only way to detect wear before you notice the pain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bruxism cured?

Realistically, the habit associated with stress is not “cured” definitely, but is fully controlled. With the use of a tight splint, symptoms, pain and wear disappear completely.

How do I know if I have bruxism?

If you wake up with your jaw tired, your partner hears your teeth squeak at night, or you notice your teeth shorter, you have all the ballots. In a quick review in ODONTOFAMILY we will confirm it immediately.

Why am I squeezing my teeth without realizing it?

It is a subconscious response of your nervous system. During sleep, your brain channels the stress, anxiety, or tension of the day by contracting the jaw muscles completely unintentionally.