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Posts Tagged ‘Bruxism in Leeds’

How to Remedy Your Teeth Grinding Problem

Monday, July 4th, 2016

1050560_blogTeeth grinding, or bruxism, is a fairly common problem, with most people doing it in their sleep! This makes it difficult for you to stop the habit by yourself, so consulting a dentist is often the best way to deal with and prevent any damage to your teeth or even your jaw. Bruxism doesn’t just cause problems in the obvious areas though, as it can also cause headaches.

Why do I grind my teeth?

Often it is caused by stress, so the best way to deal with bruxism is to deal with the cause of the stress. Obviously, this is not something that a dentist would be able to help you with, but therapy or counselling can take some time. Meanwhile, you’re continuing to do some damage to your teeth and giving yourself headaches in the night. So, if stress is the cause of your teeth grinding, by all means go and see a counsellor, but you should probably also see a dentist too, to get some short-term help.

Subconscious tooth grinding

But if it happens in your sleep, how do you know that you’re doing it? Well, if you wake up in the morning with an aching jaw, suffer from unexplained headaches, have difficulty eating first thing in the morning or have noticed damage to your teeth, then you could be suffering from bruxism. The other give away is that often your partner will notice before you that there is a problem. If you think that stress might be responsible for your teeth grinding then your dentist can try out a few things to help you prevent further damage to your teeth. You could wear a mouth guard at night, so that your teeth aren’t rubbing against each other, but up against smooth, soft rubber instead. There are also devices that can hold your teeth apart during the night. This is especially useful if your bruxism is caused by a sleep disorder. Although you could use these devices for your whole life, it is probably more advisable to seek a solution that will resolve the issues behind your teeth grinding, rather than just stopping it from being a problem!

Battling Against Bruxism

Wednesday, February 24th, 2016

3520145_blogDo you wake up with unexplained headaches or pains in your jaw? Are you struggling to sleep properly? Do your teeth feel sensitive or weak? If so, you may be suffering with bruxism. Bruxism is the medical name for tooth grinding, a common problem that can cause damage to the teeth and contribute to symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ disorder).

What causes bruxism?

Sometimes the causes of bruxism may not be clear, but it is often linked to feeling stressed or anxious. Other possible causes include loose crowns and fillings and orthodontic issues that affect the way the upper and lower arches of teeth sit together. This is known as the bite.

If you grind your teeth on a regular basis, this can cause damage to your enamel and increase the risk of headaches, jaw pain and stiffness in the jaw.

How we can help you battle bruxism

If you struggle with symptoms or have been told that you grind your teeth during the night, we can help. Before we decide upon an appropriate course of action, we will examine your mouth to check for possible causes and problems such as loose fillings or misalignment. We can repair or replace damaged restorations or recommend suitable orthodontic treatment options to improve tooth alignment. If there are no clear underlying causes, we can provide a custom-made bite guard, which is a device that sits in the mouth to prevent the top and bottom sets of teeth clashing against each other. Using a bite guards help to reduce tension in the facial muscles and protects your teeth. As it is custom-made, you should find it very comfortable, so it shouldn’t affect your ability to sleep.

If you would like to find out more about treatments for bruxism, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Are You Harming Your Teeth in Your Sleep?

Sunday, August 16th, 2015

4443553_blogSleep should give your body chance to recover and regenerate. Unfortunately, sometimes we do things during our sleep that can be harmful. This includes grinding our teeth.

What causes tooth grinding and what are the effects?

Tooth grinding, also known as bruxism, can occur as a result of lots of different triggers, from dental problems to anxiety and stress. The majority of cases are linked to heightened stress and many people find that they grind their teeth when they are under pressure at work or coping with difficulties in their personal life.

In the short-term, tooth grinding isn’t likely to do serious damage, prolonged periods of bruxism can take their toll on your teeth and the muscles in and around the jaw. Grinding the teeth can cause chips and wear and tear. It can also place strain on the facial muscles and connective tissue around the jaw joint. This might result in headaches, jaw pain, stiffness, tension in the jaw and neck or shoulder pain.

How is tooth grinding treated?

In some cases where tooth grinding is linked to anxiety or stress, dealing with these issues using techniques such as breathing exercises, massage, talking therapies and taking time out can help to stop bruxism. Often, with periods of stress linked to work deadlines, for example, symptoms will come and go and treatment won’t be required.

If dental issues such as a misaligned bite or loose fillings or crowns are to blame, we can provide a solution. These may include replacing or repairing loose restorations or fitting braces.

We can also provide patients with a custom-made bite guard. This is a device designed to prevent contact between the upper and lower arches of teeth during sleep. It looks like a mouth guard and can help to prevent damage to the teeth, reduce muscular aches and pains and improve sleep quality.

Crowns as a Treatment for Bruxism

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2015

2445507_blogBruxism is the medical name for tooth grinding, a common problem that affects thousands of people across the UK. Tooth grinding can cause problems for the structure of the teeth as well as contributing to muscular aches and pains in the facial muscles, jaw, neck and shoulders. If you grind your teeth or regularly start your day with a headache, stiff jaw or neck pain, we can help.

What causes bruxism?

There are various factors that increase the risk of bruxism. Many cases are believed to be linked to increased stress levels and anxiety, while issues with the bite may also result in unwanted contact between the upper and lower arches of teeth. In some cases, loose fillings and crowns can also be the cause.

Crowning as a treatment for bruxism

New crowns can help to alleviate symptoms associated with tooth grinding in scenarios where loose crowns or fillings are causing you to grind your teeth during the night. Removing and replacing loose or damaged restorations helps to stabilise the teeth, reduce the risk of injury, improve oral function and prevent bruxism.

Before a new crown is placed, the old one will be removed and an impression of the tooth will be formed using dental putty. The impression is used as a mould for the new crown, which is usually made and returned to us within two weeks. Once your new crown is ready, the tooth will be cleaned thoroughly and then your bespoke crown will be fitted and secured.

Crowns are a very effective treatment for damaged and decayed teeth and can be made from ceramics such as porcelain to create a really subtle and natural looking aesthetic. Crowns help to protect the teeth and they should last for around five years.

If you suffer with bruxism and are looking for a solution, call us today and book a consultation.

How to Stop Tooth Grinding for Good

Sunday, June 28th, 2015

18625010Tooth grinding, also known as bruxism, can have negative implications for your health, as well as the quality of your sleep, but thankfully, we have some excellent solutions at the ready. If your partner is complaining about you grinding your teeth or you regularly wake up with symptoms such as headaches or jaw pain, call us today!

What causes tooth grinding?

There are several possible causes of tooth grinding, but most cases are linked to stress and anxiety. Other possible causes include loose fillings and orthodontic issues. It is not fully understood why feeling anxious or worried makes you grind your teeth, but research suggests that if you are feeling stressed, have a high pressure job or have character traits such as being highly-strung or a perfectionist, you are more likely to grind your teeth. Most people grind their teeth without even knowing it, as it occurs while you sleep.

What are the effects of tooth grinding?

Tooth grinding has various implications for your oral and general health. Grinding and clenching the teeth can contribute to tooth wear and damage and you may also find that you wake up with headaches, pain, stiffness in the jaw and dental pain. Grinding your teeth can also disrupt your sleep patterns, which may make you feel tired during the day.

Dealing with tooth grinding

If you’re struggling with tooth grinding, we recommend wearing a bite guard during the night. A bite guard is a custom-fitted device designed to protect your teeth by providing a barrier between the upper and lower arches of teeth while you sleep. With the guard in place, there is no risk of the teeth clashing together and you can enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep and wake up without any pain. We can also offer advice to help our patients cope with stress.

Winning the Battle Against Bruxism

Sunday, June 7th, 2015

2445507_blogIf you’re battling bruxism, we are here to help you win the fight. Bruxism, also known as tooth grinding, is a fairly common problem and can have serious effects. Thankfully, there are some effective solutions out there and we are confident we can help you to banish bruxism for good.

Why am I grinding my teeth?

Grinding the teeth occurs most commonly when you sleep and many people are unaware that they do it until somebody else informs them as it happens sub-consciously. There are several possible reasons why you might grind your teeth, including:

  • stress: studies show that stress increases the risk of bruxism. Common causes of stress include financial pressures, deadlines at work, family problems and illness.
  • anxiety: if you’re nervous or worried about something, this can contribute to stress and you may struggle to sleep and show signs of anxiety when you sleep. Bruxism, nightmares and restlessness are examples of this.
  • loose crowns, fillings or other such restorations
  • orthodontic issues that affect the way the top and bottom sets of teeth fit together

Treating bruxism

The best way to treat bruxism is to determine the cause of the problem. Once we understand why you are grinding your teeth, we can work to find an effective solution. Most cases of bruxism are not linked to an underlying health or dental problem and lifestyle changes and stress management techniques may help. Tackling stress can help to reduce symptoms and possible ways of achieving this include talking therapies, counselling, breathing exercises, physical exercise and meditation. For cases where there is no obvious cause, such as loose fillings or orthodontic issues, we often recommend wearing a bite guard. Bite guards help to prevent contact between the teeth while you sleep. Every bite guard is custom-made, so you should find the appliance very comfortable.

If there are clear issues related to orthodontics, we can discuss treatment options with you. We are proud to offer a number of solutions for patients who suffer with problems such as under or overbite, crooked teeth or crowding. We are also able to replace or repair any loose or damaged restorations.

Super Solutions for Tooth Grinding

Thursday, June 4th, 2015

18625010If tooth grinding is keeping your partner awake at night and causing you to suffer painful headaches or jaw ache when you wake up, we have some solutions that will help.

What causes tooth grinding?

Tooth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common sub-conscious action that usually occurs during the night while you sleep. Sometimes the cause is not known, but in many cases tooth grinding is linked to stress or anxiety, loose crowns or fillings, or orthodontic issues that affect the way the upper and lower arches of teeth fit together.

If you’ve noticed your partner grinding their teeth, you have been waking up with a sore jaw, headaches or shoulder pain or you’ve noticed that your teeth look a little worn, there’s no need to suffer in silence. It’s a good idea to address bruxism because it can contribute to tooth damage and symptoms of TMJ disorder (a disorder affecting the temporomandibular joint).

Solutions for tooth grinding

The first thing we do when we see a patient with symptoms of tooth grinding is to ascertain a possible cause. Once we have identified the cause, we can then work out a plan of action. In cases where bruxism is linked to damaged fillings, crowns or veneers, we can repair restorations and this should prevent symptoms. If orthodontic issues seem to be the problem, we may recommend treatment options such as braces. We will talk you through the different treatment options, answer your questions and explain how treatment could benefit you.

In the case of an individual suffering from stress or anxiety, there are various stress management techniques such as exercise, breathing exercises and meditation. We can provide advice about coping with stress and we can also provide custom-made bite guards designed to provide a physical barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth to prevent contact and subsequent wear and tear. The guard is custom-fit for the individual and it can really make a difference to your symptoms as well as the quality of sleep you and the people around you enjoy.

Spectacular Solutions for Tooth Grinding

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015

2445507_blogTooth grinding is a common cause of headaches, jaw pain and tooth wear. If you grind your teeth or you suffer from some of the symptoms listed above, there’s no need to worry. We have some excellent treatment options available to reduce pain, protect the teeth and help you to enjoy a good night’s sleep.

Why do I grind my teeth?

Many people grind their teeth without even knowing it and sometimes there is no clear cause. Many cases of bruxism, the medical name for tooth grinding, are associated with anxiety or stress. However, the grinding action may also be caused by loose fillings or crowns, or an uneven bite. The bite is the term used to describe the way the upper and lower arches of teeth fit together when the jaw is closed.

What are the effects of tooth grinding?

Tooth grinding can have various implications for oral and general health. Grinding the teeth can damage the tooth surfaces and  increase the risk of chips and worn edges. There is also a link between symptoms of TMJ disorder and bruxism. The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is the joint that connects the skull to the lower jaw, and symptoms of TMJ disorder include clicking and popping noises when you move the joint, pain in and around the jaw and stiffness. Tooth grinding can also contribute to headaches and migraines.

Spectacular solutions for tooth grinding

We have a number of treatments and therapies that are beneficial for patients who suffer from tooth grinding. The cause usually determines the best course of action and we will examine your teeth and have a chat with you about your symptoms and lifestyle to ascertain why you grind your teeth and how we can help to stop it. In the case of loose fillings and crowns, we can carry out repairs or replacements to prevent tooth grinding in the future. We can also discuss the possibility of orthodontic treatment for those with issues related to the bite.

We also provide custom-made bite guards, which are similar to mouth guards, to prevent tooth grinding. These guards sit in place during the night and they help to prevent damage by eliminating physical contact between the top and bottom teeth.

If you grind your teeth, there’s no need to suffer in silence – we are here to help!

Banishing Bruxism for a Stress Free Smile

Thursday, April 30th, 2015

3488681_blogIf stress is getting to you and you’re waking up with headaches or tooth pain, we can help to banish bruxism for good.

About bruxism

Bruxism is the medical name for tooth grinding or clenching, a sub-conscious action that occurs during sleep and can have significant implications for your oral and general health. In many cases, stress is believed to be a contributing factor tooth grinding. Anxiety, loose fillings and misaligned teeth can also increase the risk of bruxism.

Bruxism can harm the teeth, but it can also result in aches and pains in the head, neck, shoulders, back and jaw. It can also affect the quality of your sleep and that of the people around you.

Coping with bruxism

If you grind your teeth on a regular basis, it’s advisable to seek advice from your dentist. We can provide treatments and advice to help to reduce the risk of bruxism and improve your sleep, as well as your health.

In cases linked to stress, we are able to recommend stress and anxiety management techniques such as breathing exercises, meditation, talking therapies and exercise. We can also provide patients with custom-made bite guards, which help to prevent physical contact between the top and bottom arches of teeth.

We can also provide relief for those who suffer from bruxism as a result of loose fillings and orthodontic issues that affect the bite. Treatment options may include replacing fillings and using braces to align the teeth and jaws.

If bruxism is keeping you awake at night or you’re struggling to deal with stress, call us now and we will help.

Gnashing and Grinding in Leeds Central Can Cause Further Dental Problems

Monday, March 31st, 2014

459343_blogTeeth grinding can keep you awake at night, but that’s often not the only side-effect. Grinding the teeth can also cause dental problems, as well as jaw pain and temporomandibular joint disorder.

Bruxism is the medical name for teeth grinding or clenching. It is a common problem, which tends to be related to anxiety and stress. If you grind your teeth, it’s often your partner who is kept awake at night, as most people grind their teeth subconsciously when they are asleep. As well as interrupting a night’s sleep, bruxism can also cause damage and wear to the teeth, as well as straining the muscles around the jaw and contributing to headaches and even migraines and earache.

We can help!

Most cases of bruxism are linked to stress, but there are other possible causes, including problems with the bite, which prevent the teeth from sitting together properly when the jaw is relaxed. We start by identifying the cause and then finding ways to treat the problem. Stress management techniques are often recommended in tandem with dental treatments, including wearing a protective guard during the night to prevent the teeth from clashing together. Orthodontic treatment may be an option when there are issues with the bite.

If you’re sick of hearing about sleepless nights and you want to do something about teeth grinding, we can help. Our treatments will enable you and your partner to enjoy a good night’s sleep without the worry of waking up with a headache or tooth pain.