Are You Suffering From Bruxism?
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is an unconscious habit of excessive teeth grinding and clenching the jaw. The majority of the population are not aware that they grind their teeth because it usually happens during the night. However, bruxism or teeth grinding can occur while you are awake as well as while you are asleep. Statistics suggest that teeth grinding affects up to 20% of adults, 80% of whom are usually unaware that they are doing it.
What are the key symptoms of teeth grinding?
Regular teeth grinding, or bruxism, can wear your teeth down and cause pain and discomfort in your jaw. Headaches and earaches are also quite commonly caused by the persistent teeth grinding.
Some people may experience symptoms such as muscle tension, stiff jaw muscles, migraines, tinnitus and other pain in the neck, back or shoulders. The other symptoms include difficulty opening your mouth, loose, sensitive or worn teeth as well as receding gums.
What can cause teeth grinding?
Studies have proven that there is a link between bruxism and sleep disorders, anxiety and stress. Teeth grinding can also be associated with obstructive sleep apnoea. OSA is the most common form of apnea. This condition usually causes interrupted breathing during sleep.
Bruxism can also be related to unhealthy lifestyle. For example, poor diet, smoking, alcohol, drugs, caffeine and even excessive use of chewing gum can increase a risk of developing bruxism.
Why is it important to tackle bruxism?
Bruxism may be a risk factor in developing TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction) which can cause painful, clicking or locking of the jaw joint. Obviously, all of the above signs and symptoms can have other causal factors and so it is important that a full assessment is carried out by a dentist or doctor before bruxism can be diagnosed.
How to Stop Grinding Teeth?
Here, at the Berkeley Clinic, we provide comprehensive diagnostic investigation enabling accurate diagnosis. We can carefully examine how your teeth bite together and analyse the condition of your jaw joint and occlusion.
Teeth grinding can also be controlled or stopped using mouth guards, mouth splints and mandibular advancement devices.
Did you know that Teeth Grinding can be stopped using Hypnosis?
Dr Mike Gow is a leading hypnotherapist with extensive experience and expertise in treating teeth grinding or bruxism. He is a highly trained dental hypnotherapist with a special interest in dental anxiety management. Mike has graduated from Glasgow Dental School in 1999 and gained his Masters is Hypnosis from the University of London in 2004, having completed his dissertation on the topic of hypnosis in managing bruxism. He has a postgraduate certificate in the Management of Dental Anxiety. Mike has been the President of ‘The British Society of Medical & Dental Hypnosis (Scotland)’ twice and is a founding member and President of ‘The International Society of Dental Anxiety Management’. Mike has demonstrated hypnosis on British television, appearing in More4’s ‘Hypnosurgery Live’, and BBC’s ‘Exposed…Persuaders’, ‘Alternative Therapies’, and ‘Horizon’ documentaries.
How can Mike aid you in tackling bruxism? Mike can help you to control and manage your teeth grinding problems with a combination of techniques depending on your requirements. He can offer you with a hypnotherapy appointment where your bruxism issues will be discussed.
If you would like to find out more about hypnotherapy and teeth grinding simply contact the Berkeley Clinic on 0141 564 1900.
Stop Clenching & Grinding your Teeth CD
Would you like to stop grinding your teeth? Dr Mike Gow has recorded a special CD to help you manage and control bruxism. You can purchase the CD if you visit the clinic for the price of £15. Alternatively, you can contact Janet on email@example.com and order your copy.
While this recording will likely or help improve your sleep and help you manage stress, it is important that you discuss any concerns you have about sleep and stress with your medical doctor. Your doctor or dentist may also recommend other techniques which may help manage bruxism and associated symptoms, for example, a custom fitted splint such as the Sleep Clench Inhibitor that fits on your teeth.
To find out more about teeth grinding call the Berkeley Clinic in Glasgow on 0141 564 1900.