Teeth grinding treatment, also known as bruxism, refers to the treatment of a condition where a person involuntarily clenches, gnashes, or grinds their teeth. This condition often occurs during sleep, so many people may not notice or be aware of their teeth grinding problem.
Teeth grinding exerts excessive pressure on the jaw muscles and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and can lead to various symptoms over time.
How Does Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) Occur?
In medical terms, we refer to the involuntary contraction of the chewing muscles as bruxism. Bruxism can occur during daily activities as well as during sleep. According to research, the prevalence of bruxism increased from approximately 15% in 2008 to 21% in 2020. This means that one in every five individuals experiences teeth grinding. It is believed that the underlying cause of bruxism is the outward expression of triggered stress, panic, and negative thoughts in the brain.
How Can We Recognize Teeth Grinding?
If a person experiences facial joint pain or teeth wear, fractures, or looseness upon awakening, there is a high probability that they are grinding their teeth.
What Are the Treatment Methods for Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)?
First and foremost, the primary goal should be to stay away from stress as much as possible. However, in today’s conditions, this may not always be successful. In such cases, a night bite plate can be made to prevent teeth grinding and damage to the teeth, or botulinum toxin (Botox) treatment can be applied to reduce the activity of the chewing muscles and prevent bruxism. The effect duration of botulinum toxin treatment is approximately 5-6 months. If the patient resumes teeth grinding after this period, botulinum toxin can be re-administered.
