Bruxing:

Do you suffer from a painful, aching jaw?

Are your teeth sore and sensitive?

Do you wake up with a stiff neck?

Do you suffer from frequent and recurring tension headaches and/or morning headaches?

If so, a new, simple treatment may be able to help you.

Clenching and grinding of teeth, mostly during sleep, is known as Bruxism.   Many scientific studies demonstrate this to be a major factor leading to headaches and neck pain.

The muscles of the jaws are some of the strongest in the body.   Clenching your teeth while asleep, or during the day, is the result of these extremely strong muscles tensingup to 6 to 20 times more intensely than non suffererswhich can cause morning and tension headaches, and even damage to surrounding joints, teeth, and other muscles.

These muscles, called temporalis muscles, are located on the sides of your head and are used when you chew or close your mouth.    When you clench your teeth, these muscles can create a great deal of stress and tension to your jaw joints, to your neck muscles, and to your teeth.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that clenching during sleep is a major trigger for many people with Migraine and Tension-Type Headache.

A recent breakthrough in treatment, known as a mini-splint, has significantly improved the management of the above problems.   Recent clinical trials of a mini-splint, conducted for the United States regulatory body, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 77% of participants had an 82% reduction in the frequency of headaches.   This has led to FDA approval of the mini-splint for the management of headache, bruxism and TMJ disorders.

The advantages of the new mini-splint over traditional splints are:

1.   Comfortable to wear.

2.   Scientific studies show a 70% reduction in the forces of clenching.

3.   Significantly reduces the frequency and intensity of Migraine and Tension-type Headaches.

4.   Can reduce jaw and neck pain.

5.   Protects teeth from high forces of bruxing, helping to prevent wearing of the teeth, cracking and chipping of teeth and       fillings, and provides protection for crowns and veneers.

6.   With use of a mini-splint, many patients report significant relief overnight, others usually within a month.

If you suffer from the above symptoms please consult your dentist to find out if a mini-splint can help you in the management of your pain.

werribee dental clinic