Jaw Clenching & Bruxism Treatment Geelong

Jaw clenching, also known as bruxism, can cause discomfort, headaches, and dental problems, impacting both oral health and overall well-being.

Understanding Bruxism

Bruxism is a common condition characterised by the involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth, often occurring during sleep or times of stress. This habitual behaviour can lead to muscle tension, jaw pain, cracked teeth, damaged fillings, headaches, sleep disturbance and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.

Causes of Bruxism

Jaw clenching can be triggered by various factors, including stress, anxiety, misaligned teeth, smoking, alcohol or caffeine use, snoring, taking particular medications such as stimulants. People who grind their teeth in their sleep are more likely to suffer other sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea. Identifying the underlying cause of bruxism is essential for effective treatment and long-term symptom relief.

How is bruxism diagnosed?

Your dentist will check for signs of bruxism such as tooth wear or damage, issues with fillings, and examine your chewing muscles such as the masseters and temple muscles.

Treatment Options for Jaw Clenching:

There are a number of treatment options for bruxism.
1. Managing the underlying cause is the most important factor, and this usually requires further consultation with your dentist and regular GP.
2. Often your dentist will recommend a type of specialised splint.
3. Specialised physiotherapy is sometimes required, particularly for TMJ dysfunction, and a referral from your GP to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist might be required.
4. In some cases, your dentist, GP, physiotherapist or specialist might recommend injections.

At RiverEnd Aesthetics, our doctors offer consultations regarding jaw clenching and information about treatments that might alleviate the symptoms