Bruxism

Sleep bruxism, where you grind or clench your teeth at night, affects around 13% of American adults. Bruxism at night or during the day can cause headaches, sleep loss, and severe oral conditions. At Smiles Dental Clinic in Falls Church and Herndon, Virginia, Farah Ahmad, DDS, Sumra Ahmad, DDS, and Saira Ahmad, DDS, offer treatments like nightguards, self-care tips, and Botox® to ease or eliminate the symptoms of bruxism. To book an appointment, call the practice or request an appointment online today.

What is bruxism?

Bruxism is excessive teeth grinding and jaw clenching, usually happening while you sleep. If you experience jaw pain, tension headaches, and/or facial pain, particularly upon waking, you could be suffering from bruxism.

You might not be aware you have bruxism until a dental visit reveals significant tooth enamel loss, damage to restorations, or a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). TMD can lead to limited movement and spasms in your jaw joints and muscles.

What are the symptoms of bruxism? 

Bruxism symptoms include:

• Teeth grinding or clenching while sleeping
• Headaches
• Face and jaw pain or tension
• Earaches
• Pain when chewing
• Chipped or cracked teeth
• Jaw immobility
• Teeth sensitivity or tightness

The team might attribute your bruxism to a misaligned jaw, stress, or genetics. However, the condition's exact cause isn’t known.

How is bruxism treated?

Before developing a treatment plan, the team reviews your medical history and uses a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan to create detailed 3D images of your teeth, jaws, and face.

If your bruxism is already severe, they’ll recommend tooth reshaping or a dental crown to repair tooth decay or loss.

Botox®

Botox is a neuromodulator injection that blocks or changes a nerve impulse. This relaxes your facial and jaw muscles and relieves the painful symptoms.

If you’re a candidate for Botox, your provider performs the procedure at the Smile Dental Clinic office. They numb the injection site, then inject Botox into your jaw muscles, forehead, or temple.

The procedure is typically painless and lasts 10-30 minutes. Your provider could recommend at least three sessions to see the best results. Botox is not a cure for bruxism and lasts 3-6 months when new injections will be needed.

Nightguards

Your provider takes impressions of the top and bottom rows of your teeth. They then custom fabricate a flexible, comfortable nightguard to help prevent teeth-grinding at night.

Self-care

Reducing tension and stress can help prevent bruxism. You could take a warm bath before bed, listen to soothing music, exercise, and practice stress-relieving activities. And avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Focus on making a conscious effort to relax your jaw. Place a warm washcloth against your cheek, stick your tongue between your teeth, and avoid chewing pencils, pens, and gum.

If you suspect that bruxism is causing your headaches or jaw pain, contact Smile Dental Clinic by phone or schedule an appointment online today.