Bruxism describes a range of related behaviours that include teeth grinding, gnashing and clenching of the jaw. It is normally a subconscious behaviour performed during sleep, and the cause is not always clear. Sleep disorders, lifestyle factors, stress and anxiety have all been found to have significant links to bruxism.
Whilst teeth clenching and grinding can damage teeth by fracturing them or result in excessive and abnormal wear, it can also cause a multitude of physical symptoms that can be very distressing for the person afflicted. The most common of these is the occurrence of headaches with bruxists being found to be three times more likely to suffer from headaches than non-bruxists.
Other physical symptoms include temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort and muscle aches, facial myalgia, earache, tightness and stiffness of the shoulders, limitation of mouth opening and sleep disruption of the individual as well as their bed partner.
Traditional methods of treating grinding, such as a mouthguard, are also offered at the clinic. However, to avoid the wearing of a bite guard, and to help break the habit, BOTOX® injections can be used to relax the overactive jaw muscles, stopping the cause of bruxism. This takes the pressure off the jaw joint, stopping the joint pain and preventing further damage to the teeth. For most patients, bruxism is either temporary (stress-related), or is a habit that can be broken. A BOTOX® treatment or series of treatments helps you break the pattern and gives you enough relief to get through a stressful period.
A treatment plan lasting around 12 months can help you resolve the problem.