Bruxism treatment in Mundaring

Bruxism can be caused by several genetic, psychological, and socio-cultural causes. This is usually accompanied by additional issues, such as stress, worry, or sleep problems.

Sleeping Disorders: Sleep bruxism is more common in people with sleep problems such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA disrupts sleep and makes it harder to breathe at night.

Medications: Certain medications can cause teeth grinding as a side effect. Both paroxetine and sertraline are SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) antidepressants that have been linked to tooth grinding.

Lifestyle and Habits: Tooth grinding can be caused by a variety of practices and lifestyles. There are many harmful habits that people engage in, including using tobacco, drinking excessively, using drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy, and using excessive caffeine.

Anxiety and Stress: Teeth grinding is a common symptom of anxiety and stress. As stress and anxiety levels increase, the situation worsens. When the cause is resolved, the patient’s symptoms usually go away. Frustration or anger can contribute to the development of bruxism in some circumstances. It could be a coping mechanism or a habit if you clench your teeth when awake.

Dental Malocclusion: Misaligned teeth might contribute to bruxism. However, there is no solid evidence on whether misalignment is the cause of the condition. Some claim that it agitates existing issues and causes malocclusion.

Genetics: The vulnerability to bruxism is hereditary and varies according to neurotransmitter levels. Hormonal modifications or gene variants induced by elevated hormone levels may impact families.

Neurological Disorders: Bruxism is substantially more common in people with certain neurological conditions, such as anoxic encephalopathy, Rett syndrome, and cerebellar hemorrhage.

People who grind their teeth at night are entirely unconscious that they are doing so. Grinding and scraping sounds are frequent bruxism symptoms. It makes a disturbing noise that can be heard by everyone nearby.

Potential signs and symptoms that you may have bruxism include:

• Teeth with a high level of sensitivity
• You may feel facial pain or headaches when you first wake up
• Teeth that have become loose or are painful
• Earaches
• Sleep deprivation
• Locked jaw
• Jaw muscle soreness
• Cracked teeth
• Chipped teeth
• Fractured teeth
• Teeth that are worn down, exposing the deeper layers of your teeth
• The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) makes clicking or popping sounds in the jaw.
• Bleeding on the inside of the cheeks or at the gum line

At Mundaring Dental & Implant Centre, we provide a range of bruxism dental treatments, such as:

1. Personalised Bruxism Mouth Guard:

Wearing a mouthguard while grinding or clenching your teeth will protect your teeth and reduce stress. Your dentist will make a mould or take an imprint of your teeth so that a dental technician may make a mouth guard or occlusal splint that is custom-fit to your teeth and mouth.

2. Dental Crowns:

Grinding and clenching can wear down the surface of your teeth, requiring dental crowns. It is common for dental crowns to require two dental visits. In your first appointment, you will be assessed and prepared for your teeth. Your teeth will be scraped off the top layer of enamel and imprinted with a putty-like material or a computerised scanner. To fabricate dental crowns, we will utilise your dental impressions. When the permanent crown is ready, you will need to return for the crown fitting.

3. Orthodontic Therapy:

In addition to straightening your teeth, clear aligners can protect them from grinding. You can use it to relieve or eliminate jaw pain. During an appointment with your dentist, X-rays, scans, and impressions will be taken of your teeth. Using this information, your aligners or braces will be personalised for you.

To protect your teeth while you sleep, you must wear a mouthguard over them at night. Protecting your teeth is the primary function of this guard, which serves as a barrier between your upper and lower sets of teeth. 

The mouthguard is designed to loosen your jaw muscles while you sleep so that you won’t wake up with a sore jaw from grinding your teeth. As you sleep, your teeth won’t get stuck together, and it can help with facial and jaw pain by stopping your jaw from clenching.

To help you decide which type of mouthguard is best for you, we’ve highlighted the similarities and differences between custom-fit and over-the-counter mouthguards.

Effectiveness and Comfort

Mouthguards purchased over-the-counter from a pharmacy or sports goods store are less effective, and do not provide comfort. It is critical to consider the level of comfort. Furthermore, if they are not correctly shaped or fitted, they may create complications that are the opposite of their intended purpose. This can result in pricey doctor’s or orthodontist’s visits. Putting mouth guards in the wrong place could have a long-term negative effect on growth and development.

Custom-fitted mouthguards are more likely to stay in place since they are specifically built to fit your mouth. Wearing mouth guards will be more comfortable with a custom fit, and you will no longer be concerned about discomfort while participating in your favorite sport.

Protection

Custom mouthguards can give you maximum safety and comfort because they are precisely made. Over-the-counter mouthguards will never be able to provide this level of protection. The amount of protection provided by custom-fitted mouthguards is unrivaled by any other mouthguard. The snug design, which hugs each tooth securely and eliminates unnecessary movement, adds to their durability. 

Custom-fit mouthguards can be made thicker to alleviate and reduce pressure on the jaw for those who grind, clench, or gnash their teeth violently at night.

Durability

Custom-fit mouthguards are incredibly durable, and unlike store-bought mouthguards, they do not lose their shape. Depending on the extent of wear and tear and whether or not there have been any changes in the mouth or to the wearer’s teeth, custom mouthguards may need to be replaced every few years.

Cost

Over-the-counter mouthguards are less expensive because they can be purchased at most pharmacies, drugstores, and online retailers. In contrast, custom mouthguards require professional attention and are customised to each mouth, depending on what you intend to use them for, how much material is needed, and other specifications your mouth may require.

However, since custom mouthguards fit snuggly in your mouth, it becomes a cost-effective way to manage bruxism.

The price of a dental mouth guard varies based on the condition and mouth guard type. Since it is customised and better to lower your risks, a personalised mouth guard is more expensive than an over-the-counter one. You’re less likely to sustain serious injuries or require expensive dental treatment.

A customised mouthguard for teeth grinding costs $700 to $800 on average.

At Mundaring Dental & Implant Centre, we offer various payment options to assist you in splitting the expense of your mouthguard into more manageable monthly instalments.

To prevent damage and bacteria growth in your mouthguard, we recommend cleaning it. You may clean your mouthguard with a variety of household materials, and here are some suggestions for keeping it clean:

Non-abrasive toothpaste and toothbrush

When cleaning your mouthguard, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste. Keep a separate toothbrush for this reason to avoid bacterial cross-contamination.

Abrasive toothpaste and hard brushes should be prevented since they can damage your mouthguard.

• Cool water should be used to rinse the mouth guard.
• Apply a small amount of toothpaste to your mouthguard.
• Scrub the mouthguard gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Allow it to dry after thoroughly rinsing with cool water.
• Keep the mouth guard in a solid, ventilated container while storing or transporting it. This provides for air circulation and protects it from damage.
• Mouthguards made up of acrylic substances should be stored in freshwater.

Water and mild soap

Using soap and water is another option. Use only mild, alcohol-free soap to avoid damaging your mouthguard.

• Using cool water, rinse your mouthguard.
• Clean your mouthguard with a small quantity of soap.
• Scrub the mouthguard gently with a toothbrush until it is soapy.
• To get rid of all the bubbles, thoroughly rinse the mouthguard.
• Allow the mouthguard to dry naturally.

Mouthwash
Since mouthwash has antibacterial qualities, it can be used to clean your mouthguard. To avoid damage, only use an alcohol-free mouthwash.

Baking soda
Baking soda can also be used to clear debris and eliminate odours.

• Add equal parts of baking soda and water to produce a paste in a clean bowl.
• Brush the mouthguard gently with a toothbrush dipped in the paste.
• Rinse them with cool water.
• Allow the mouthguard to dry.
• Monitor your mouthguard for signs of wear regularly. Contact your dentist if you discover holes, fractures, or become loose.