Solutions for Bruxism

Bruxism is the medical term for grinding or clenching your teeth. Mild cases of bruxism often require no treatment, but severe, repetitive grinding or clenching may lead to wear and damage to your teeth as well as severe jaw pain. Although there is no cure for bruxism, there are a combination of self-care, dental, mental and psychological solutions to help you manage the condition.

Splints

• Splints are acrylic appliances contoured to fit the ridges of your teeth and worn over either your top or bottom teeth and prevent you from clenching. A dentist may fit you for a splint and either make the appliance in-house or order it from a laboratory. Some patients find relief from splints, but others report that the appliance makes their clenching worse, reports the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The splint may also provide initial relief, but become less effective over time in some patients.

Mouth Guards

• Like a splint, a mouth guard covers either your bottom or lower teeth, but typically has a flat rather than contoured surface. Generally, mouth guards are less expensive than splints and can be purchased at pharmacies without a visit to the dentist, reports the Mayo Clinic. Mouth guards pose the same potential problems as splints in their effectiveness and are also looser fitting. Because of this, it is possible for the mouth guard to come loose when you grind or clench.

Biofeedback

• A form of biofeedback known as electromyography may help you learn to control your grinding. During a biofeedback session, a therapist places sensors on your facial muscles and then shows you stimuli like flashing lights to produce a response. When you clench your teeth, a sound or other signal occurs, helping you become aware of the clenching. Over time, this awareness may help you recognize clenching in your daily life, signaling that you should relax your jaw, explains the Mayo Clinic.

Relaxation Techniques

• Relaxation techniques like deep breathing and mediation are designed to help you reduce your stress level. As stress is often a cause of bruxism, these techniques may have the added affect of decreasing your clenching and grinding, reports the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Books are available to guide you through the process, and some medical centers and community colleges offer courses in techniques.

Exercise and Massage

• Performing facial stretches and exercises to strengthen the muscles on the sides of your mouth may help reduce bruxism, explains the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Your doctor may prescribe you one or two physical therapy sessions to learn these types of exercises from a trained professional. Additionally, massages of the neck, shoulders and face from a licensed massage therapist may prove beneficial.

Botulinum Toxin

• When other methods of treatment fail, doctors sometimes prescribe botulinum toxin (Botox) injections to patients. Administered directly into the facial muscles, Botox prevents your muscles from contracting, reducing your ability to clench. Despite their effectiveness, Botox injections may cause headaches, nausea, flu-like symptoms and facial bruising, cautions the Mayo Clinic.